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Subcommittee tables permissive data-center siting bill after industry opposition
Summary
House Bill 2,712, a permissive bill that would have allowed localities to require data-center applicants to provide water-use estimates, sound modeling and power load information, was laid on the table by a 7-1 recorded vote after opposition from industry groups concluding similar authority exists in other legislation.
Delegate Lovejoy presented House Bill 2,712, described as a permissive measure that would authorize—but not require—localities to consider water usage, sound modeling (including proposed maximum decibels), and power load estimates when reviewing site plans for data centers.
Prince William County officials testified in support and reported a Board of Supervisors resolution endorsing the measure. Opponents included the Data Center Coalition and the Apartment and Office Building Association, which argued that prior subcommittee legislation (HB 1601) and JLARC findings already provide appropriate authority and context, and that singling out data centers could produce inconsistent outcomes or create localities effectively performing roles reserved to the State Corporation Commission on power matters.
After discussion the subcommittee voted 7 to 1 to lay the bill on the table. The clerk recorded the motion to table and the final tally as 7-1.
Motion and vote: Motion to table House Bill 2,712 carried 7 to 1; no further instructions were recorded during the hearing.
