Virginia Sets New Data Center RulesVirginia Sets New Data Center Rules

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Executive Order 22 directs state agencies to develop new approaches to data center transparency, environmental review, energy costs, grid reliability, and community engagement. It immediately restricts certain discretionary state assistance for new projects with anticipated peak demand of at least 25 megawatts, but does not impose a statewide moratorium or change local zoning. Separately, several Virginia counties are tightening or considering local approval requirements, adding uncertainty for proposed and pending projects.