VirginiaData centers; site assessment, sound profile of the high energy use facility.
What it does
Siting of data centers; site assessment; high energy use facility. Provides that, prior to any approval of a rezoning application, special exception application, or special use permit for the siting of a new high energy use facility (HEUF), as defined in the bill, a locality shall require that an applicant perform and submit a site assessment to examine the sound profile of the HEUF on residential units and schools located within 500 feet of the HEUF property boundary. The bill also allows a locality to require that a site assessment examine the effect of the proposed facility on (i) ground and surface water resources, (ii) agricultural resources, (iii) parks, (iv) registered historic sites, and (v) forestland on the HEUF site or immediately contiguous land.
More detail
The provisions of the bill shall not apply to a site with an existing legislative or administrative approval where an applicant is seeking an expansion or modification of an already existing or approved facility and such expansion does not exceed an additional 100 megawatts or more of electrical power. Finally, the bill provides that its provisions shall not be construed to prohibit, limit, or otherwise supersede existing local zoning authority. This bill incorporates SB 130 and is identical to HB 153.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0568)Latest
- Apr 13Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 568 (effective 7/1/2026)Became Law
- Mar 31Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 31Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026Minor
- Mar 31Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 30Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 30Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB94ER)Major
- Mar 30EnrolledMinor
- Mar 14Conference report agreed to by Senate (29-Y 10-N 0-A)Minor
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Conference Committee Report R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 14Conference report agreed to by House (91-Y 4-N 0-A)Minor
- Mar 13Conference Report released
- Mar 6House Conferees: Thomas, Convirs-Fowler, Wyatt
- Mar 6Conferees appointed by House
- Mar 4Senate Conferees: Roem, Srinivasan, Stanley
- Vote recorded Accede Conference Committee R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Conferees appointed by Senate
- Mar 4Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 2House requested conference committeeMinor
- Mar 2House insisted on substituteMajor
- Feb 27House substitute rejected by Senate
- Vote recorded Concur House Substitute R. Result: fail.Upper
- Feb 25Passed House with substitute (80-Y 14-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 25committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 25Read third timeMinor
- Feb 24Read second timeMinor
- Feb 20Committee substitute printed 26108333D-H1Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 20Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (15-Y 6-N)Minor
- Feb 17Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and TownsMinor
- Feb 17Read first timeMinor
- Feb 17Placed on Calendar
- Feb 12Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 1-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 11Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute as amended (Voice Vote)Major
- Vote recorded Floor Amendment V. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 11Senator Roem Amendment #2 agreed to (24-Y 16-N 0-A)Major
- Feb 11Reading of amendment #2 waived (Voice Vote)
- Feb 11Senator Roem Amendment #1 withdrawnMajor
- Feb 11Floor offered Senator Roem Amendments
- Feb 11Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
- Feb 11Committee amendments rejected (Voice Vote)Minor
- Feb 11Read second timeMinor
- Feb 10Passed by for the day
- Feb 9Passed by for the day
- Feb 6Passed by for the day
- Feb 5Passed by for the day
- Feb 5Read second timeMinor
- Feb 4Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 4Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Feb 4Rules suspended
- Feb 3Committee substitute printed 26106623D-S1Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 3Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N)Minor
- Feb 3Incorporates SB130 (Ebbin)
- Jan 27Senate committee offered
- Jan 26Reported from Local Government with amendments and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 5-N 1-A)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Local Government with amendments. Result: pass.Upper
- 2025
- Dec 31Referred to Committee on Local GovernmentMinor
- Dec 31Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100739DIntroduced