Disruption

Virginia, home to hundreds of data centers, adds new restrictions

Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed several of the dozens of bills introduced this session.
A data center is under construction in Ashburn in Loudoun County, Virginia, on Sunday, July 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed bills in the past week to regulate data centers, including efforts to reduce noise and track how much water they’re using.

Used to house computing infrastructure that supports daily digital tasks — from streaming and social media to banking and artificial intelligence training — the massive structures that demand electricity and water were among the top issues in state legislatures this year. 

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