Spanberger issues data center accountability order
Governor Abigail Spanberger of Virginia issued Executive Order 22 to enhance transparency, strengthen environmental protections, and reduce energy costs related to data center development. The order mandates data centers to be more open about power usage and future sites, and requires utility companies to reallocate costs so data centers pay a larger share for energy consumption.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced Executive Order 22, aiming to hold data centers accountable and establish a state AI task force. Effective immediately, the order requires data centers to provide greater transparency regarding their power usage and plans for future sites.
A key objective is to reduce energy costs for Virginians by mandating utility companies to allocate expenses more equitably, ensuring data centers bear a larger portion of the energy costs from the grid due to their significant consumption. The order also emphasizes strengthening environmental protections and limits certain aspects, though the transcript cuts off before specifying the limits. This initiative marks a comprehensive framework to address the impact of data center development across the state.