Full Breakdown
Virginia Governor Issues New Order to Tighten Datacenter Oversight
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Governor Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order aimed at increasing accountability for large datacenter projects in Virginia. The order introduces a framework that mandates greater transparency, bans nondisclosure agreements for such projects, tightens permitting limits, and imposes stricter environmental controls. Facilities that exceed 25 megawatts of power will now require local approval and will be removed from the state’s expedited permitting track.
Background & Context
Virginia hosts more datacenters than any other state, with Loudoun County containing one of the nation’s highest concentrations. Prior to Spanberger’s administration, the Commonwealth lacked a coordinated plan to address the impacts of these “bit barns” on residents, including concerns over air quality, noise, water use, and electricity costs. The new order follows recent actions in other states—New York and Pennsylvania have also issued executive orders restricting high-capacity datacenter builds.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Spanberger said the previous lack of a clear plan left Virginians vulnerable to the environmental and community effects of datacenters, and that the new order “changes today.” State officials are tasked with developing criteria to differentiate responsible developments from those that could harm residents or the environment. The order also directs agencies to limit water-intensive cooling towers in water-scarce areas and to encourage retrofitting of backup generators toward cleaner energy sources such as battery storage or fuel cells. Local leaders in Loudoun County, which recently voted to pause certain datacenter and substation applications for up to a year, have expressed support for the heightened scrutiny.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In the years before I took office, datacenters came to Virginia and the Commonwealth did not have a clear or coordinated plan to address their impacts on Virginians … That changes today,” — Abigail Spanberger, slowing as governor
Data & Statistics
- The order applies to datacenters exceeding 25 megawatts of power.
- Virginia’s datacenter density is described as the highest globally, with Loudoun County noted for its concentration.
- The framework calls for bans on nondisclosure agreements and requires local approval for large projects, shifting them out of the expedited permitting process.
These measures collectively aim to give Virginia residents more oversight over the rapid expansion of high-power datacenter facilities.