Fairfax leaders seek collaboration with governor as Va.’s data center rules evolve
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously directed county staff to coordinate with Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration as Virginia develops new data center regulations. Supervisors want Fairfax’s local experience and concerns represented in the statewide process and asked staff to report back within 120 days.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to keep county staff closely engaged with the Spanberger administration as Virginia refines its approach to data center development. Supervisors Kathy Smith, Jimmy Bierman and others said Fairfax needs a voice in the process, while Chairman Jeff McKay said the county has a strong regulatory foundation but may need further improvements.
The effort follows Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s executive order establishing accountability measures for data centers and artificial intelligence and calling for additional legislation. Fairfax adopted tighter local restrictions in September 2024, including size limits and minimum distances from homes, although those rules did not apply to projects already under review. Spanberger is also seeking statewide action on issues including developer-locality nondisclosure agreements and has created an Artificial Intelligence Task Force.