> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Virginia Orders New Disclosure Rules for Data Centers - URL: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/state-news-virginia-2026-09-22-b/ - Published: 2026-09-22T13:47:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-22T13:47:00.000Z - Description: Virginia’s new data-center order bars state agencies from concealing material project information, ends expedited state support for the largest facilities and sets deadlines for noise, generator and water safeguards. - Author: News Desk - Tags: Policy, Virginia Virginia has begun enforcing a new statewide data-center accountability policy that bars executive agencies from signing or enforcing future nondisclosure agreements that conceal material information about proposed projects. Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s [Executive Order 22](https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/eo/eo-22-establishing-va-data-center-accountability-and-ai-initiatives.pdf?ref=theamericanquorum.com), signed Sept. 18 and effective immediately, also removes new data centers with anticipated peak demand of at least 25 megawatts from state site-readiness and expedited-review programs. Existing contractual commitments and nondisclosure agreements remain protected, except in extraordinary circumstances. The order directs the chief energy officer to coordinate implementation and produce a planning and community-engagement toolkit within 120 days. That toolkit is supposed to include disclosure templates, model questions about electricity and water demand, guidance for community-benefit agreements and recommendations for reducing noise, traffic and other local impacts. Environmental agencies also received deadlines. The Department of Environmental Quality must prepare an accelerated noise-rulemaking plan within 180 days and study the cumulative effects of diesel and other backup generators. The order separately designates the Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area as a cooling-water scarcity area and calls for related regulations. The policy arrives as Virginia’s data-center footprint continues to expand. A new [Cleanview analysis](https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/09/22/virginia-352-data-centers-391-planned-cleanview-capacity?ref=theamericanquorum.com) reported by Axios identifies 352 operating facilities with about 17,325 megawatts of capacity and another 391 planned projects totaling roughly 34,578 megawatts. If all were built, the state’s data-center capacity would approach 52,000 megawatts. The administration says the framework is intended to give communities earlier information, protect households from infrastructure costs driven by very large electric loads and establish standards for water, land, noise and workforce impacts. The order tells state officials to advocate before utilities, the State Corporation Commission and PJM for cost-allocation rules that shield households from data-center-driven grid expenses. A proposed VA-LEAD designation would eventually score projects on energy, water, land, noise, workforce, clean-energy investment and local benefits. The chief energy officer must submit recommended criteria and an implementation plan by the end of 2027 after consulting local governments, utilities, consumer advocates, environmental groups, labor and developers. Some parts can begin through executive authority, while broader changes will require legislation or formal regulations. [Reuters reported](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/virginia-tightens-data-center-restrictions-amid-political-backlash-2026-09-18/?ref=theamericanquorum.com) that the administration also plans incentives for cleaner backup power and expects lawmakers to consider additional elements next year. The order also creates a rapid-response artificial intelligence task force. According to [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/policy/997573/virginia-governor-spanberger-data-center-ai-task-force?ref=theamericanquorum.com), the group will examine workforce displacement, privacy, cybersecurity and how existing Virginia law can address AI-related harms. That AI work is related to the growth of computing infrastructure but is separate from local land-use and energy decisions. For local governments and residents, the immediate change is greater access to project information held by executive agencies and the loss of expedited state support for the largest new facilities. The longer-term effect will depend on how quickly agencies complete the required rules and studies, how the proposed VA-LEAD responsible-development program is designed, and what the General Assembly adopts in 2027.