Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has issued an executive order to tighten oversight of datacentre construction, arguing that the state lacked a coordinated plan to manage the industry’s effects on residents. The measures aim to increase transparency, restrict permitting and strengthen environmental protections as opposition grows over datacentres’ impacts on water supplies, air quality, noise and electricity bills.

The wider framework would ban nondisclosure agreements, require local approval for facilities above 25 megawatts and remove future large projects from expedited permitting. It would also limit water-intensive cooling in areas facing scarcity and encourage cleaner backup power, while Loudoun County considers pausing some applications for up to 12 months. The moves follow stricter action in New York and Pennsylvania, reflecting wider US concern about datacentre expansion.