Virginia Targets Data Centers with New Accountability Framework

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger unveiled a broad Data Center Accountability Framework to boost transparency, environmental protections, and local benefits from the fast-growing data-center industry. The plan, backed by Executive Order 22, bans NDAs, expedites noise regulations, requires local approval for large centers, tightens energy and water standards, and creates an AI task force. Supporters say it advances clean energy and community benefits, while critics argue it doesn’t go far enough (no moratorium and no repeal of sales-tax exemptions) and some provisions may be hard to implement.