Virginia tightens data center restrictions amid political backlash - CNA
FILE PHOTO: Governor of Virginia Abigail Spanberger gives remarks at the Center for American Progress Ideas Conference at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon/File Photo
NEW YORK, Sept 18 : The US state of Virginia is tightening permitting, commercial and environmental controls on data centers as political backlash grows against the server warehouses and the technology developed within them, Governor Abigail Spanberger said on Friday.
Virginia, which has the largest concentration of data centers in the world, unveiled plans that include banning non-disclosure agreements and imposing clean energy mandates on the projects.
The move follows a spate of recent similar steps taken by governors in New York, Texas and Pennsylvania to crack down on the rapid expansion of data centers, which are increasingly being developed to train and roll out artificial intelligence.
Virginia's "Data Center Accountability Framework" is aimed at easing the public's concerns around data center development secrecy and the impact that the energy-intensive facilities have on power bills and the environment, Spanberger told a press conference.
CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less "Community members are demanding action," Spanberger said.
The ban on non-disclosure agreements would apply to projects for data centers of 25 megawatts or more. Data centers will also be offered incentives to develop renewable solar and wind power backup generators, instead of natural gas or diesel-fired ones, to help power their operations, the governor said.
Part of the framework will be subject to approval by state legislators next year.Β
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