Governor Abigail Spanberger announced protections regarding data center development in Virginia through an executive order and a broad policy framework. The executive order curbs some consequential impacts of data center growth related to air quality, water usage, clean energy, and transparency. Notable actions include a commitment to seek a transition away from pollution-intensive diesel generators (Tier II) for backup power, enhanced opportunities for community input and decision-making, incentivization measures for clean energy power sources, and a ban on blanket Non-Disclosure Agreements that hide basic information regarding the true impact of these facilities on communities.
The Sierra Club Virginia Chapter responded through Director Connor Kish, who said, "Big Tech has been given a free pass in Virginia for too long." Kish added that the world's biggest tech companies have proven they have no interest in avoiding irresponsible and destructive data center development unless they are forced to, and that today marks a shift towards overdue accountability. The Sierra Club commended Governor Spanberger for the executive order and proposed policy platform, calling it the strongest executive action taken on the environmental impacts of data centers in Virginia that the group has ever seen.
The announcement signals a potential shift in how Virginia, a major data center market, may address environmental and community concerns tied to rapid data center growth. The Sierra Club said it looks forward to working with Governor Spanberger, her administration, and members of the General Assembly from both sides of the aisle to enact the meaningful improvements outlined in the Data Center Accountability Framework. The framework includes major and important steps forward for continued action, according to the group.
What remains unknown is how the executive order and policy framework will be implemented, whether the General Assembly will adopt the proposed measures, and what specific timelines or enforcement mechanisms will apply. The source does not detail the full scope of the framework or quantify the expected environmental or economic effects. Additional policy safeguards and action by leaders of all government branches are necessary to reverse existing environmental harms of data centers and prevent future ones, according to the Sierra Club.