Virginia (USA) is the world’s largest A hub for data centers, but data center growth there may soon slow. Local Governor Abigail Spanberger signed into law tightening rules for the construction and operation of data centers in the state, Report register.
Spanberger said that before she took office, the state did not have a clear, coordinated plan to eliminate the negative impacts of data centers on local residents. Things have changed now. The new decree is part of a larger policy aimed at increasing the accountability of data center operators, including greater transparency, a ban on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with local authorities, restrictions on data center licensing and stricter environmental requirements.
Spanberger said the current policy lacks some specific requirements that might hold data center builders accountable. In addition, data center projects exceeding 25 MW will not receive expedited approval. The decree also calls on government agencies to develop assessment parameters to distinguish between responsible data centers and “irresponsible” data centers that may have a negative impact on local residents and the environment.
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Additionally, the ordinance would restrict the use of water-intensive cooling towers in areas where water is available. lack of water. It would also encourage data center operators to upgrade backup generators to reduce emissions or switch to battery storage, fuel cells and other green energy sources. The order comes just days after Loudoun County officials backed a plan to pause final decisions on certain data center applications and substations for 12 months. It’s in this area Data center concentration maximum
Resistance to data center construction is growing across the United States. At the same time, there are growing concerns about their impact on air quality, noise pollution, water consumption and rising electricity bills. For example, data center campus Colossus 2 Elon Musk’s Tennessee operations are powered by gas turbines straddling the Mississippi line, and now because of this File a lawsuit NAACP NGO Violates Clean Air Act.
Meanwhile, in July, New York became the first pause Build data centers with capacities exceeding 50 megawatts. A month later, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued decreeblocks data center construction applications unless the person submitting the application assumes a legal obligation to comply with the requirements of the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) program. limit introduce and in Texas.
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