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Lawmakers hear HB 1515 seeking temporary pause on new data‑center approvals amid energy concerns
Summary
A two‑hour docket hearing included debate on HB 1515, which would pause new local land‑use approvals for data centers until energy planning catches up (or until July 1, 2028). Environmental groups supported the pause; the Data Center Coalition and unions warned of job and economic impacts. The subcommittee carried the bill over for further work.
Delegate Shin presented House Bill 1515, which would impose a temporary pause on local land‑use approvals for new data centers until the Commonwealth’s energy planning can catch up with the pace of development. The measure would not affect projects that already hold approvals and would expire on July 1, 2028, unless otherwise acted upon.
Supporters — including the Piedmont Environmental Council, Sierra Club (represented by counsel), Virginia Interfaith Power & Light and the Virginia Conservation Network — told the subcommittee the pause would limit speculative approvals, protect ratepayers and provide time to examine subsidies and grid impacts. Dan Holmes of the Piedmont Environmental Council noted the bill “limits speculation while providing certainty to those who already have approvals.”
Opponents, including Nicole Riley of the Data Center Coalition and representatives of the Electricians Union, warned a statewide moratorium would harm local economic development and cost jobs; Riley said data centers support tens of thousands of jobs and billions in GDP and urged the subcommittee to reject a one‑size‑fits‑all restriction.
The hearing included several local residents and advocates who raised concerns about ratepayer impacts, proposed new gas‑fired plants to meet demand, and environmental effects. Transcript testimony cited Dominion Energy holding unserviced contracts for roughly 47 gigawatts of data‑center power requests and a 2025 figure of approximately $1.6 billion in sales‑tax exemptions tied to the industry.
After debate, the subcommittee carried HB 1515 over to the 2027 session for additional work and review; no vote to adopt a moratorium was taken at the hearing.
What’s next: Carried to 2027 for further hearings and coordination with energy regulators and localities; the bill’s proponents and opponents signaled a need for technical and fiscal study.
