Virginia senator proposes three-year state-wide data center moratorium

Democratic senator Russet Perry has introduced Senate Bill 843, which would bar Virginia state agencies from approving data center planning applications for three years starting July 1, 2027. The pause is meant to give lawmakers time to draft rules for the industry amid rising electric bills and grid strain.

• Moratorium would halt data center application approvals for three years from July 1, 2027
• Bill SB 843 was filed by senator Russet Perry of Loudoun County
• Loudoun County is already introducing a 12-month moratorium; Prince William tightens planning rules
• Governor Abigail Spanberger declined to back a moratorium but introduced a Data Center Accountability Framework