US EditionVirginia data center reform bill vetoed by Gov. Youngkin
- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed House Bill 1601 on May 2, 2025, in Richmond, which would have required data center developers to submit environmental impact assessments to local governments.
- The bill aimed to address concerns from communities in western Northern Virginia counties that house over 300 data centers amid rapid cloud computing and AI growth increasing demand for such facilities.
- House Delegate Josh Thomas, a Democrat from Prince William County, emphasized local worries about impacts on homes, schools, and natural resources and vowed to continue fighting despite the veto.
- Youngkin stated the legislation imposed a one-size-fits-all approach and created unnecessary red tape, limiting local discretion over data center development in a well-intentioned but flawed bill.
- The veto is part of Youngkin's record 437 vetoes, nearly four times that of previous governors, signaling his intent to decisively shape state policy amid a divided General Assembly.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Youngkin vetoes Virginia data center reform bill
Virginia is known as the “data center capital of the world.” As technology continues to evolve, many are concerned about the effects of those facilities on local communities, including neighborhoods and environmental resources. “For those who have lived in the shadow of these facilities, they understand completely what this means,” said Kathryn Kulick, an HOA Roundtable representative in Virginia. “It’s completely disrupting normal everyday life…
Virginia data center reform bill vetoed by Gov. Youngkin
Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill with bipartisan support Friday that would have required data center applicants and energy utilities to disclose information to local governments on noise and environmental impacts of the project.
Virginia’s Car Tax is the Highest in the Nation and Democrats Want to Keep it That Way. › American Greatness
It’s tax season, and we’re reminded that Virginia leads the nation in something every Virginian hates: the car tax. On average, Virginians pay $1,139 in […] Source
Roanoke Times
Youngkin's record vetoes: a new approach to executive power, analysts say
Vetoing bills -- nearly 4 times as many as any other governor -- and case by case decisions on restoring voting rights is just what governors as supposed to do, in Glenn Youngkin's opinion. But politicial scienists and at least one former governor aren't so sure.
Youngkin vetoes contraception bill; will that boost Hashmi in Democratic primary?
With his veto pen, Gov. Glenn Youngkin may have given an inadvertent boost Friday to one of the six Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor. With his signing pen, the Republican governor may have also given an inadvertent boost to a different Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.In last month’s so-called veto session, the Democratic-controlled General Assembly rejected Youngkin’s proposed amendments on 91 bills. He had until Friday…
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