Eric Bonds

Professor of Sociology University of Mary Washington

  • Fredericksburg VA

Dr. Bonds studies and writes about climate change and environmental politics in Virginia.

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University of Mary Washington

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Biography

Eric Bonds, Professor of Sociology, has a PhD from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He studies climate change and environmental inequality in Virginia, most recently focusing on data center development and the environmental footprint of artificial intelligence. He has published numerous peer-reviewed academic articles and two editions of a social issues textbook, along with regular contributions to The Fredericksburg Advance and other news sites. Professor Bonds teaches classes in social issues, environmental sociology, environmental justice, and social theory.

Areas of Expertise

Environmental Justice
Environmental Sociology
Human Rights
War and Violence

Education

University of Colorado

Ph.D.

Graduate Studies

2011

University of Wyoming

B.A.

Undergraduate Studies

2001

Media Appearances

Virginia has one of the highest utility disconnection rates in the nation. The data center boom will make things worse

Cardinal News  online

2025-08-22

According to the Energy Justice Lab at Indiana University, Dominion Energy disconnected 339,000 households from electrical service in Virginia for nonpayment in 2024.

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Public officials reconsider NDA process amid Project Blue outrage

Arizona Luminaria  online

2025-08-04

Secrecy is not uncommon for data center projects, but Eric Bonds, a professor of sociology at University of Mary Washington, said it raises concerns about what the use of non-disclosure agreements means for the democratic process related to massive projects like data centers. “Part of due diligence for elected officials is to know the company so they can scrutinize how it can behave elsewhere,” said Bonds, who has written for several news sites on his concerns about data centers in Virginia, where he is based.

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Va.’s failure to protect crucial HIV/AIDS services sets ominous precedent

FXBG Advance  online

2025-07-07

About 25,000 Virginians are living with HIV and proposed federal cuts to health care funding put their care at risk.

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Articles

Data Centers, Non-disclosure Agreements and Democracy

Virginia Mercury

Eric Bonds and Viktor Newby

2025-04-30

We fear that the widespread use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and a larger ethic of secrecy regarding data-center development curtails meaningful debate and impairs local democracy, write guest columnists Dr. Eric Bonds and Viktor Newby.

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To See a Recent Win for Democracy, Look no Further Than Virginia. But the Work Must Continue.

Virginia Mercury

Eric Bonds

2025-03-20

While the influence of money has seemingly intensified in Washington, Virginia legislators have taken a serious step to reduce corruption at the state level, writes guest columnist Eric Bonds.

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Data Centers and Virginia’s Special Kind of Denialism

Virginia Mercury

Eric Bonds

2024-12-02

The reelection of Donald Trump shows the continued prevalence of climate denialism, which involves a rejection of the scientific consensus that human activity is changing the climate. As in his first term, Trump will no doubt try to hold our country back in the race to slow climate change by phasing out fossil fuels.

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