Spanberger dismisses calls to pause data center growth in Virginia

Governor Abigail Spanberger has dismissed requests for a data center moratorium in Virginia, responding to a July 30 letter from Sen. Glen Sturtevant, who represents Colonial Heights and parts of Chesterfield County. The governor's administration cited new policies designed to ensure data centers contribute their fair share, rather than halting development altogether. These policies include a recently signed $1.2 billion energy consumption tax on data centers and a directive requiring new data centers to fully fund their transmission infrastructure, preventing costs from burdening electric utility customers.

Sturtevant and other critics, including residents at an August 3 town hall in Petersburg, argue that Virginia's booming data center industry, concentrated heavily in Northern Virginia with new developments planned for Petersburg and Dinwiddie County, places undue strain on the state's electric grid and water resources. They also express concerns about noise, land use, environmental effects, and potential cost transfers to residents. Chesterfield County, where Google is developing three data centers, is a particular focus of these concerns.

Despite the opposition, Governor Spanberger's spokesperson stated that Virginia is demonstrating national leadership in making data centers accountable for their energy use, community impacts, and adherence to stricter environmental, water, and noise pollution standards. The governor committed to continuing work with the General Assembly to establish Virginia as a model for other states addressing data center expansion.