Virginia bill would pause data center approvals
Virginia Senate Bill 843 would pause statewide approvals and related permits for new data centers from July 2027 through July 2030. Supporters, including Sen. Russet Perry, cite grid reliability, water supplies and other infrastructure concerns, while the Data Center Coalition warns the moratorium could cost Virginia jobs, investment and tax revenue.
Sen. Russet Perry’s proposed Senate Bill 843 would halt final local approvals for data center rezonings, special-use permits, site plans and related developments across Virginia beginning July 1, with the restrictions expiring in 2030. The measure would also prevent state agencies from approving permits and electric distribution, grid connection and on-site generation infrastructure serving data centers.
Perry’s office said the pause would give lawmakers time to address impacts on power reliability, groundwater, transmission lines and diesel backup generators. The Data Center Coalition, represented by Virginia government affairs director Nicole Riley, opposed the proposal, saying it could jeopardize projects, jobs, investment and local tax revenue, including projected data center revenue in Loudoun County. The bill follows other proposed restrictions and Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s data center accountability framework, while questions remain about how the moratorium would affect projects already approved locally but awaiting state permits or electricity connections.