Virginia governor creates an AI task force and moves to restrain data centers

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/gettyimages-2295948062.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) <a href="https://www.governor.virginia.gov//newsroom/news-releases/2026/september-releases/name-1123696-en.html">ordered the state government</a> to take steps that could empower local communities to have a larger say in data center development and slow down approvals in a state that is already home to the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/cs/features/975597/loudoun-county-virginia-data-center-backlash">data center capital of the world</a>.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/eo/eo-22-establishing-va-data-center-accountability-and-ai-initiatives.pdf">Executive Order 22</a> bans executive branch officials from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for data center projects, requires expedited noise regulations, and a review of backup-generation operations used by data centers, among other requirements. The order also establishes an AI task force responsible for evaluating how the state government can address risks to Virginians like …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/policy/997573/virginia-governor-spanberger-data-center-ai-task-force">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>