New Framework for Data Center Development
Governor Abigail Spanberger of Virginia announced a new data center accountability framework, signed as Executive Order 22. This framework aims to improve transparency and provide protections concerning water use, power demands, and noise from data centers. It includes environmental standards, local approval for large projects, and a ban on non-disclosure agreements.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, speaking in Richmond, outlined a new data center accountability framework, signing Executive Order 22 on Friday morning in Capitol Square. She described it as the most comprehensive and aggressive data center accountability framework in the country, designed to address Virginians' legitimate concerns about data center development.
Elements of the plan include new environmental standards related to energy efficiency, water use, and noise. It will strengthen oversight of large projects by requiring local approval for any data centers using more than 25 megawatts of power. The framework also aims to protect ratepayers, prioritize local hiring, and encourage the use of Virginia businesses for goods and services. A significant aspect of the plan is a ban on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that currently prevent public officials from disclosing information about data center projects, thereby giving communities a larger voice in discussions about such developments.
While emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the plan, it was clarified that this framework is not a moratorium that would effectively pause data center construction.