Take Action for a Smarter Digital Future
Join us to advocate for responsible data center reform.
We are updating our campaign efforts—check back soon for new ways to take action!
What Does a Smarter Digital Future Look Like?
We need to be smarter about how we build our state’s digital infrastructure. Virginia needs state-level oversight and clear approval criteria that consider not only the short-term economic benefits of data centers but also the long-term impact on our power grid, natural resources, and quality of life.
\Without strong regulatory and legislative intervention, the risks and costs of the immense infrastructure supporting data centers is destined to be passed on to all Virginians, including families, schools, health care providers, farms and small businesses.
The Four Pillars of Data Center Reform
For the past few years, legislation has been introduced in the General Assembly, but not passed, to help mitigate the detrimental impact of data centers on Virginia’s energy grid, natural resources and communities. These bills fall into four main pillars of reform which provide a framework for responsible action.
Ratepayer Protections
Safeguard residents and businesses from shouldering industry risks and subsidizing the billions of dollars in costs associated with the data center industry’s energy infrastructure needs.
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Enhanced Transparency
Require local disclosure and statewide reporting on data center energy use, water consumption and emissions to ensure informed review of new applications and monitoring of existing data centers to enhance statewide planning.
State Oversight
Establish a state-level regulatory review process by the State Corporation Commission, in addition to the existing local review, to evaluate the regional impacts of data center development affecting neighboring jurisdictions and state policies.
Incentives for Efficiency
Connect state sales and use tax exemption for data center purchases to much higher clean energy and efficiency standards to incentivize best practices that reduce pollution.