Virginia Governor Establishes AI Task Force, Restricts Data Center Development

Executive Order on Data Centers and AI

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 22, which addresses both data center development and artificial intelligence risks. The order aims to give local communities more influence over data center projects and to slow down approval processes in Virginia, a state with a high concentration of data centers.

Data Center Restrictions

The executive order prohibits executive branch officials from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) related to data center projects. It also mandates expedited noise regulations and a review of backup-generation operations used by data centers. These measures are intended to mitigate some of the local impacts of data center expansion.

AI Task Force Creation

Executive Order 22 also establishes an AI task force. This task force is charged with evaluating how the state government can address potential risks to Virginians, including workforce displacement and data privacy issues. It will also determine how existing state laws can be applied to address harms caused by AI.

Data Center Accountability Framework

In addition to the executive order, Governor Spanberger introduced a new "Data Center Accountability Framework." This framework outlines priorities such as eliminating "by-right approval" for data center construction, removing certain state subsidies, establishing environmental guardrails, and protecting residents from increased energy prices associated with data centers.

Broader State-Level Trend

Virginia's actions reflect a growing trend among states to address data center and AI policy independently. Other states, including California, New York, and Texas, have also taken executive action regarding AI safety or data center development, indicating a shift in policy-making at the state level.