Virginia Governor Spanberger signs data center accountability framework

(Richmond, Virginia) Today, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced a new framework to ensure accountability and community safeguards for data center development. Virginia’s Data Center Accountability Framework will institute five pillars that data center developers and operators must adhere to, focused on increasing transparency, strengthening environmental protections, lowering energy costs, bolstering clean energy and grid reliability, protecting water resources and delivering quality, local jobs to Virginia workers. 

“As the global hub for data center development, Virginia has a huge opportunity to lead the way on accountability,” said Emily Steinhilber, Virginia State Director at Environmental Defense Fund.  

“This framework outlines a path forward to protect communities from bearing pollution and costs from data centers, while leveraging this growth to catalyze cleaner, more affordable and reliable power.  

“The work ahead to translate this framework into real policies matters enormously. We look forward to working with Governor Spanberger and lawmakers across the Commonwealth to advance policies that curb costs, strengthen and modernize the grid, advance water stewardship and deliver lasting benefits to communities.”