Spanberger signs data center accountability order, creates AI task force

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Order 22 on September 18, 2026, barring NDAs, requiring local approval for data centers above 25 MW, and ending subsidies and fast-track permitting. An AI task force will assess privacy, cybersecurity and job displacement risks.

• NDA ban and local approval for data centers from 25 MW
• Subsidies and fast-track permitting for large data centers ended
• PJM and grid costs shifted to data centers and large consumers
• AI task force to work with Anthropic, OpenAI, xAI, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft