The details: VA Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced a sweeping plan to rein in data centers, including 1) directing utilities to “allocate a more equitable share” of generation and transmission costs to these facilities 2) ordering a review of the emissions and air quality impacts from diesel generators and 3) requiring local approval of projects >25 MW.
But that’s not all: Next year, Spanberger said she wants the Democrat-controlled VA legislature to limit the amount of power that data centers can generate from gas and incentivize them to bring their own clean energy.
The big picture: Paired with a recent county-level moratorium in the state’s Data Center Alley, this move signals that Virginia officials are shifting gears and getting more cautious—and VA’s change of heart could set an example for the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, over in Nevada: Gov. Joe Lombardo has laid out guardrails for data centers receiving tax breaks, which he said must foot their own power bills.
Sun, Sep 20
Molly Glick
Energy Central Team
NEWS: Virginia has unveiled the country’s ‘highest standards’ for data centers. 📜
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