Sierra Club Applauds Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Data Center Executive Order and Policy Framework Release

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Sierra Club Applauds Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Data Center Executive Order and Policy Framework Release

Richmond, VA — Today, Governor Abigail Spanberger announced protections regarding data center development in Virginia via executive order and a broad policy framework. The executive order curbs some consequential impacts of data center growth related to air quality, water usage, clean energy, and transparency. Notable actions include her commitment to seek a transition away from pollution-intensive diesel generators (Tier II) for backup power, enhanced opportunities for community input and decision-making, incentivization measures for clean energy power sources, and a ban on blanket Non-Disclosure Agreements that hide basic information regarding the true impact of these facilities on communities.

This order represents the strongest executive protections against dirty data center development in Virginia’s history; more policy safeguards and action by leaders of all government branches are necessary to reverse existing environmental harms of data centers and prevent future ones.

In response, Connor Kish, Director of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, released the following statement: 

“Big Tech has been given a free pass in Virginia for too long. Given the chance to do so time and time again, the world’s biggest tech companies have proven they have no interest in avoiding irresponsible and destructive data center development unless they are forced to. They are capable of doing better, and today marks a shift towards overdue accountability.”

“The Sierra Club commends Governor Spanberger for her executive order and proposed policy platform and is grateful to her for this robust action. The order represents the strongest executive action taken on the environmental impacts of data centers in Virginia that we have ever seen. The Data Center Accountability Framework proposed includes major and important steps forward for continued action. We look forward to working with Governor Spanberger, her administration, and members of the General Assembly from both sides of the aisle to enact these meaningful improvements.”