Virginia reportedly tightens rules for future large datacenters
PolicyUnverifiedUpdated:
Virginia’s reported executive order would change how future large datacenters are reviewed, including requiring local approval for projects above 25 megawatts.
Local approval for projects above 25 megawatts
The Register reports that Governor Abigail Spanberger issued an executive order as part of a datacenter accountability framework.
The reported measures include a ban on nondisclosure agreements, more transparency, removal of future large datacenters from expedited permitting, and local approval for datacenters exceeding 25 megawatts. The framework would also limit water-intensive cooling towers in water-scarce areas and encourage lower-emission backup-power options.
According to the report, Virginia previously lacked a clear, coordinated plan for addressing datacenters’ impacts on residents.
The reported order would shift future large-datacenter development toward greater disclosure, local review, limits on expedited permitting, and environmental conditions.
Conditions for future large developments
Virginia hosts more datacenters than any other place in the world, according to the report. If implemented as described, the order would make local approval and environmental considerations more central to future large projects in the state.
Sources
- The RegisterVirginia governor wakes up to fact datacenters have become political cancerRead source →