Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order aimed at addressing the rapid development of data centers and the risks associated with artificial intelligence. The order seeks to empower local communities by providing them with more influence over data center development processes and aims to slow down approvals in the state.
Data CentersPolicyAbigail Spanberger
Virginia Governor establishes AI task force and moves to regulate data center expansion
The executive order includes several specific mandates: it bans executive branch officials from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for data center projects, requires expedited noise regulations, and calls for a review of backup-generation operations used by these facilities. Additionally, the order establishes an AI task force. This group is responsible for evaluating how the state government can address risks to residents, specifically focusing on data privacy issues and workforce displacement, while determining how existing laws apply to AI-related harms.
In conjunction with the order, Spanberger introduced a "Data Center Accountability Framework." This framework outlines priorities such as eliminating "by-right approval" processes, removing certain state subsidies, establishing environmental guardrails, and protecting residents from energy price increases linked to data center growth. While some environmental groups have praised the approach, others, such as the Piedmont Environment Council, noted that the measures do not fully address the impacts of existing developments and projects already in the pipeline.
Sources
- Virginia governor creates an AI task force and moves to restrain data centers （The Verge AI, 2026-09-18）