‘Now’s the time to act’: Key data center reform bills stall in General Assembly despite growing community concern

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Several bills aimed at reforming Virginia’s rapidly growing data center industry are failing to advance in the General Assembly.

More than 50 data center–related bills were introduced this session, targeting issues such as state oversight, transparency and ratepayer protections. But several key proposals have already stalled or been killed in committee, even as public concern over the industry’s expansion continues to grow.

“The public is confident that now’s the time to act dramatically,” said Christopher Miller, president of the Piedmont Environmental Council.

Miller has been tracking the legislation alongside the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition, which gathered at the state Capitol on Monday to lobby lawmakers for stronger regulation of data centers. The coalition made up of more than 50 nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups and concerned citizens, have voiced concerns over the industry’s strain on local power grids, infrastructure and water resources.

“It’s pretty clear that the industry has encouraged leadership to essentially limit transparency and severely constrain the initiatives that would really change things,” Miller said.

Some data center reform efforts are still alive, but Miller said many proposals have been amended from their original intent.

“The watering down is, ‘How can we recognize what’s already starting to happen and get credit for addressing a problem without actually affecting decision-making?’” he said.

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