Written by Sophia Vance, Staff Reporter
On Friday, Sept. 18, Governor Spanberger introduced Executive Order 22 for the purpose of increasing transparency and regulations around data centers in Virginia.
Recent strides in the technology behind artificial intelligence has made AI more skilled, helpful, and accessible than ever. People use platforms like ChatGPT or Grok everyday for issues that range from finding a recipe for dinner to navigating complex interpersonal relationships.
However, in order for AI platforms to fulfill their functions, AI is dependent on data centers that store and process the information these platforms use. These data centers are large, windowless, resource intensive buildings that produce loud noises and rely on vast amounts of energy. Recently, a surge in AI and cloud demand has led to an increase in the prevalence and significance of data centers, especially those that are built to train and run AI.
As important as these buildings are, it’s also important to consider the effect they have not only on the environment, but also on local communities. Data centers use massive amounts of electricity which emit greenhouse gases back into the atmosphere. Additionally, equipment in these centers requires continuous cooling through systems that send that heat back out into its surrounding environment. This can lead to an increase in temperature in surrounding areas. Data centers also produce large amounts of noise that can disrupt communities and local animal populations.
However, data centers also come with potential benefits, such as the ability to competitively train better AI models. This could potentially lead to positive outcomes such as access to cutting-edge technology and an increased amount of resources to put towards solving domestic issues. AI development could contribute to Virginia’s education programs and expedite complex processes with fast administrative work. Although AI is a highly controversial contemporary subject, what’s clear is that the AI industry is only becoming more relevant and regulations are necessary in order to ensure that AI and data centers are more of a long-term asset than a liability.
In the interest of regulating data centers, Virginia’s Governor Spanberger introduced an executive order on Sept. 18, 2026. Executive Order 22 seeks to outline rules around further data center development, although it does not condemn existing data centers. Spanberger describes this order as “the most comprehensive and aggressive” set of policies concerning data centers in the country.
Executive Order 22 has three basic goals: prohibiting state officials from signing nondisclosure agreements for data center projects, creating a new AI task force, and pushing the state towards further environmental regulatory standards. Specifically, the order expedites the process of creating data center noise regulations in order to create minimal disturbance towards local populations. It also directs government agencies to review regulations around emissions and water use. This order is the first action under Virginia’s “Data Center Accountability Framework,” which seeks further environmental protections and lowering energy costs.
While Executive Order 22 changes the way Virginia engages with data centers, it does not prevent the development of more data centers. Spanberger stated that it will take further study to decide how to handle existing data centers and their impact on the environment and local communities. Additionally, Spanberger’s executive order encourages data centers to save energy by taking measures such as restricting backup generation and limiting on-sight natural gas. What is not clear in Executive Order 22 is “what reliable, dispatchable source of power is supposed to fill the gap?” as stated by House Republican leader Terry Kilgore.
Although Spanberger’s Executive Order 22 takes significant steps in the direction of cohesive regulations in the development of data centers, there is much still left to be done. As of today, Virginia has more data centers than any other U.S state. Although these data centers can be useful resources, it’s also necessary that appropriate steps are taken to prevent data centers from contributing more harm than they do good. The technological advancements of AI provide tools and opportunities that have never been so widely available before. The accessibility of AI platforms can make it easy to forget the cost of rising demand for AI. It’s important for Virginia to consider what role it wants AI to have in its future and what consequences that might follow.
