Sets State Policy on Data Centers
Virginia · HB591 · Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Why it matters
Residential and small business customers could see less of the cost of grid upgrades shifted onto their bills. Data centers would face new reporting requirements on energy and water use.
What it does
- Encourages data centers to join demand response programs that reduce power use at peak times
- Encourages data centers to adjust energy use in real time with renewable power supply
- Asks large data centers to pay their fair share of grid infrastructure costs
- Requires data centers to report energy and water usage, and sustainability measures, to state and federal agencies
- Promotes security measures to protect data centers from foreign adversary access
Status
Latest action (2026-07-21): Continued from last session
About this bill
Would set state goals for data centers, including reporting water and energy use and paying for grid costs. Data centers would be asked to join demand response programs and boost cybersecurity.
Perspectives
💬 The case for
Energy and consumer groups would likely say the bill protects household power bills from data center costs. Clean energy groups may say it encourages more renewable power use.
💬 The case against
Some data center operators would likely say the reporting rules add paperwork and cost. Tech groups may say the policy language leaves too much open to interpretation.
Sponsored by
Sponsor details for this state bill are at the source link.
News
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