RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger on Friday unveiled Virginia’s new Data Center Accountability Framework — what environmental advocacy groups and experts called the “strongest” and most “comprehensive” executive action on data center policy in Virginia history that sets a “new national standard.” Governor Spanberger’s Framework is a detailed, wide-ranging plan for the Commonwealth to give communities transparent information and a voice in local approval, protect Virginians from higher energy bills, and enforce the strongest environmental standards for data centers in the nation. The Governor also signed Executive Order 22 to immediately implement many of the core pieces of her Data Center Accountability Framework. What Virginians are saying:
- Sierra Club [@SierraClub]: Big Tech has been given a free pass in Virginia for too long. We commend @GovernorVA for her bold action standing up for Virginians. This order represents the strongest executive action taken on the environmental impacts of data centers in Virginia that we have ever seen.
- Scott Babwah Brennen, Director of the Center on Technology Policy at New York University in the Washington Post: I’m not sure I can think of another executive order I’ve seen that is as comprehensive as this.
- Mike Town, Virginia League of Conservation Voters Executive Director in Politico: The political act that happened today sends a signal to all local officials and all legislators and all future candidates — that this issue is being taken seriously.
- Connor Kish, Director of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter in the Washington Sun: The world’s largest corporations are capable of doing better, and today marks a shift towards that accountability.
- Jennifer Granholm, former U.S. Secretary of Energy, in a statement: This framework sets a new national standard for the durable, community-centered policies needed to meet this moment.
- Emily Steinhilber, Virginia State Director at Environmental Defense Fund, in a statement: This framework outlines a path forward to protect communities from bearing pollution and costs from data centers, while leveraging this growth to catalyze cleaner, more affordable and reliable power.
- Jane Flegal, Distinguished Fellow, University of Chicago [@JaneAFlegal]: Congratulations to @GovernorVA for announcing concrete requirements to ensure data centers benefit communities & our grid.
- Jay Ford, Virginia Policy Manager at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation [@jaycford]: @GovernorVA is rolling out the most comprehensive & environmentally protective data center platform in the nation.
- Jigar Shah, former Director of the Loan Programs Office at the U.S. Department of Energy [@Jigar Shah]: Governor Abigail Spanberger released her Data Center Accountability Framework, signed as Executive Order 22, which is a comprehensive framework that tries to address the whole system: transparency, environment, energy costs, clean energy, and workforce, all at once, with enforcement mechanisms attached to each.
- Senator Jeremy McPike [@JeremyMcPike]: I applaud the Governor for taking the bold step to redefine Virginia’s approach to data centers and address the significant impact they have had on our environment and communities across Virginia. A new approach is necessary to put Virginians and our neighborhoods first.
- Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg [@ScVanValkenburg]: I thank Governor Spanberger for her executive order and this nation-leading framework to protect families, our environment, and the reliability of our energy system.
- Senator Michael Jones [@thedrmikejones]: Governor Spanberger’s announcement is a good first step. Greater transparency, stronger local oversight, and protections for our communities and ratepayers are critical.
- Senator Stella Pekarsky [@sgpekarsky]: We will hold this industry, which has enjoyed decades long prosperity in Va, accountable. Excited to partner with @GovernorVA to ensure VA is a national leader. There is much work ahead!
- Delegate Rip Sullivan [@RipSullivan6]: @GovernorVA today announced one of the strongest data center regulation frameworks in the country. Having advocated and legislated in this space for many years, I welcome her support and leadership to help make transformative progress.
- Delegate Alfonso Lopez [@Lopez4VA]: The Governor’s action is a very positive step forward for any Virginian who values environmental protection & clean energy. Virginia is now at the forefront of the nation in data center regulations. I’m excited to work w/ the Governor to pass meaningful legislation on this issue.
- Delegate May Nivar [@MayforVA]: Today, Governor Spanberger outlined a new approach to data center accountability in Virginia, focused on greater transparency, stronger environmental protections, affordable and reliable energy, and creating opportunities for Virginia workers.
- Delegate Shelly Simonds [@shelly_simonds]: They are taking this seriously, thank you.
- Third Way [@ThirdWayTweet]: Governor Spanberger is showing the country what responsible leadership on data centers looks like.
- U.S. Congressman Eugene Vindman [@RepVindman]: Yesterday, @GovernorVA announced one of the most comprehensive data center accountability frameworks in the nation. Democrats are leading to make sure that data centers pay their fair share and are transparent.
BACKGROUND The Governor’s Data Center Accountability Framework builds on Governor Spanberger’s previous work to make sure data centers pay their fair share for energy and protect Virginia ratepayers. Earlier this year, the Governor proposed and signed into law the nation’s first statewide energy consumption tax on data centers. The Governor also successfully urged the SCC to require data centers to pay for transmission infrastructure built exclusively for their operations — saving Virginia families hundreds of millions of dollars. Finally, the Governor signed into law more than a dozen bills to enforce stricter requirements on backup generators, tighten water usage rules, and give local leaders more tools to assess the impacts of data centers. |
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