Virginia senators call for date center moratorium | NBC4 Washington
Virginia lawmakers from both parties are increasingly calling for a statewide moratorium on new data center development. Concerns stem from recent electrical grid issues and a report indicating serious strain on the state's groundwater supply due to data center water usage. State senators are urging Governor Spanberger to address these issues, with some proposing an immediate moratorium.
Calls for a statewide moratorium on data center growth in Virginia, often referred to as the data center capital of the world, are intensifying among lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties. The push comes as officials grapple with the environmental and infrastructure impacts of rapid development.
Republican State Senator Glen Sturtevant recently urged Governor Abigail Spanberger to implement an immediate moratorium on new data center development. Senator Sturtevant cited a past News4 exclusive report on a massive electrical grid issue in Ashburn, where data centers switching to backup power caused significant grid fluctuations from Chicago to Miami. He also highlighted a recent Department of Environmental Quality report indicating serious and immediate strain on Virginia's groundwater levels, partly due to data centers' substantial water usage.
Democrat and Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas echoed Sturtevant's sentiments, stating that "the status quo cannot continue" and that a statewide moratorium "deserves serious consideration." Further demonstrating bipartisan concern, Republican Senator Richard Stewart and Democrat Senator Russett Perry sent a joint letter to Governor Spanberger, advocating for a special legislative session to address the state's groundwater supply.
The Data Center Coalition, an industry lobbying group, has responded by asserting that moratoriums send a negative signal about an area's openness to business, though their full statement was not detailed in the report. Governor Spanberger's office has yet to comment on the calls for a moratorium or a special session.