Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced on Friday what she calls the most comprehensive and aggressive data center accountability effort in the country.
The “Data Center Accountability Framework” is focused on increasing transparency, strengthening environmental protections, lowering energy costs, advancing clean energy and investing in Virginia’s workforce, Spanberger said during a morning news conference.
“I have said many times that Virginia should be leading the nation in setting the highest standards for this industry. And now, I believe we are doing just that,” she said.
Virginia Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas told News4’s Drew Wilder in an exclusive interview that the commonwealth has let the data industry run out of control — and she’s promising sweeping new changes to reel it in.
Spanberger signed an executive order to immediately implement many of the core pieces of the framework, including:
- Banning executive branch agencies, departments, boards, commissions, authorities and any other employees under the Governor’s supervision from entering into or requiring non-disclosure agreements for data center projects
- Creating a “Data Center Planning and Community Engagement Toolkit” for local
governments and communities - Expediting the development of data center noise regulations
- Directing a thorough review of diesel and other backup-generation operations associated
with data centers - Working to direct data center investments in local energy projects
- Developing best practices for prioritizing the creation of jobs and advancing local
workforce opportunities
The announcement comes after calls from both Democrats and Republicans for regulations on exploding data center development in the state.
“Virginia’s Data Center Accountability Framework is about delivering a better deal for Virginians and holding data center companies, developers, and operators accountable,” Spanberger said.
The governor’s executive order also establishes an AI Task Force, which will focus on “addressing risks posed by the rapid development of artificial intelligence — including workforce displacement, data privacy, and cybersecurity.”
The Piedmont Environmental Council, a nonprofit organization based in Warrenton, said in a statement there are positive elements to Spanberger’s framework, but it doesn’t go far enough.
“It largely addresses standards on new data centers and does not deal with what’s already built and in the pipeline, along with the ongoing impacts piling up in communities now,” the organization said in part. “A moratorium – a pause on all development and new applications – should be the first step so we can fully address the many impacts on the state and residents.”
Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.
