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Subcommittee approves bill requiring local site assessments for data centers
Summary
The County, Cities and Towns Subcommittee No. 2 voted 5–3 to advance HB 1601, which requires local site assessments for proposed data centers to include sound and electric-transmission analyses and preserves local zoning authority.
The County, Cities and Towns Subcommittee No. 2 advanced House Bill 1601 by a 5–3 vote, requiring local site assessments for proposed data center projects to include information on sound and the electrical transmission infrastructure that would serve the site, Delegate Thomas said during the committee meeting.
The bill, which Delegate Thomas described as building on legislation considered in 2024 and responding to a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report, adds two required elements to local site assessments and clarifies that localities may consider multiple listed factors. "Two things can be true at the same time," Delegate Thomas said, urging transparency so local…
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