Clean Virginia putting pressure on Spanberger, House Dems over data center tax breaks
Clean Virginia, an environmental lobby, is pressuring Virginia's Governor and House Democrats to end tax breaks for data centers, citing public opposition and high costs to the state. The House Democrats have proposed a commission to study the issue, a move criticized by Clean Virginia and Senator Louise Lucas who argue the issue has already been studied and immediate action is needed to address environmental and financial impacts.
Clean Virginia, a prominent environmental advocacy group, is actively campaigning against special tax breaks for data centers in Virginia, asserting that these incentives cost the state $1.9 billion annually and are widely opposed by 67 percent of Virginians. The organization has criticized a proposal from Governor Abigail Spanberger and House Democrats to establish a commission to evaluate the data center industry's costs and benefits, with recommendations due by the 2027 General Assembly.
Brennan Gilmore, Executive Director of Clean Virginia, stated that the House conference budget is "badly out of step with the public." Senator Louise Lucas, Chair of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee, echoed this sentiment, arguing that the legislature has already studied the issue in 2024 and that immediate action is required to address negative consequences for Virginians.
Clean Virginia's press release highlighted that Luke Torian, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, has received significant campaign contributions from tech, utility, real estate, and lobbying interests connected to the data center industry. The group also pointed to other states, such as Washington, Ohio, and Texas, which are re-evaluating or limiting data center tax incentives due to financial sustainability concerns and public demand for accountability.