Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has ordered measures that could give local communities more influence over data-centre development and slow approval processes. Executive Order 22 also creates an AI task force to examine risks including job displacement, data privacy and harms covered by existing law, reflecting growing state action amid limited federal movement.

The order bans executive officials from signing non-disclosure agreements for data-centre projects, accelerates noise-rule changes and reviews backup power operations. Spanberger’s accompanying framework proposes ending “by-right” approvals, reducing subsidies, adding environmental protections and limiting higher energy costs for residents, although critics say it does not sufficiently address existing facilities or projects already planned.