Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced Executive Order 22, which introduces several restrictions on data center operations and establishes a new AI task force. The executive order prevents state government officials from signing nondisclosure agreements related to data center projects, mandates expedited noise regulations, and requires a comprehensive review of backup power generation systems used by data centers.
The AI task force created through the order will evaluate potential risks to Virginia residents, including workforce displacement and data privacy concerns. The group will also examine how current state law can address harms related to artificial intelligence applications and development.
The announcement reflects a broader trend of states acting independently on data center and AI policy while federal legislators and the Trump administration have moved slowly on comprehensive regulation. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a separate executive order on the same day to address AI safety, while governors in New York and Texas have previously taken action to manage rapid data center expansion in their states.
Accompanying the executive order, Spanberger unveiled a Data Center Accountability Framework that outlines additional objectives. These include eliminating automatic approval processes similar to those previously used in Loudoun County, reducing certain state subsidies, establishing environmental standards, and protecting residents from energy price increases associated with data center operations.
Environmental organizations largely welcomed the measures, though some advocates indicated stronger action was needed. The Piedmont Environmental Council noted that while the framework addresses standards for new facilities, it does not address existing developments or projects already in the pipeline, leaving ongoing community impacts unresolved.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI