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Last Update: 10/26/2026 at 11:33 PM EST
Virginia Data Center Policy
Coverage from Virginia Conservation Network, Canary Media, and others
Virginia is developing a state framework to govern the growth and impacts of data centers.
Executive Order 22 and related proposals address agency transparency, community engagement, electricity and water use, generator emissions, grid reliability, workforce reporting, and the allocation of infrastructure costs. The framework also introduces the proposed VA-LEAD designation and links potential tax benefits or other assistance to cleaner, more efficient facilities. State measures influence development without replacing local zoning authority, while legislation remains important for several proposed requirements.
Looking Back
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All Articles7 articles
Important
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger released the 2026 Virginia Energy Plan on October 1 in Virginia, comparing power-sector pathways to address demand growth, costs, and emissions.
10/6/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger unveiled an energy plan on Oct. 1 in Virginia, preserving the Virginia Clean Economy Act and proposing clean-power pathways to meet data-center-driven demand.
10/1/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Interesting
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 22 on September 18, 2026, in Virginia, establishing state standards for data center siting, energy and community impacts.
9/21/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger introduced data center regulations in Virginia on Friday to strengthen environmental protections, increase transparency and assign more infrastructure costs to the industry.
9/19/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced in Richmond an executive order and policy framework addressing data centers' air, water, energy, and transparency impacts.
9/18/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
On September 18, 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Virginia EO 22 to tighten data center accountability across Virginia through disclosure, environmental review and clean-energy measures.
9/21/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Virginia House passed HB 897 on Tuesday in Richmond, conditioning data center tax exemptions on clean-energy matching and limits on fossil-fuel power for new and existing centers.
2/18/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General