For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Contact:
Lee Francis | Chief Program & Communications Officer
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org
RICHMOND – Today, U.S. Senator Mark Warner introduced the Data Center Tax Accountability and Disclosure Act, which requires the data center industry to disclose their environmental and operational impact, and reforms federal tax policy by conditioning tax benefits on data centers first meeting strong conservation standards.
This federal legislation comes as Governor Spanberger and Virginia lawmakers have failed to-date to deliver needed data center safeguards in the state with the world’s highest concentration of data centers.
In response to this legislation, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:
“Virginians, and people across the country, are rightfully fed up with data centers. In communities across America, these facilities are driving up energy costs, polluting our air, sucking up our water, and bringing a host of negative environmental impacts. This legislation from Senator Warner recognizes this reality, and responds by bringing needed transparency to this industry and holding data centers accountable to stronger environmental standards – efforts that will help protect communities and lead to a more sustainable industry. While we still need strong, state-level standards, and a pause on data center approvals in Virginia until lawmakers deliver them, this legislation meets the moment in a big way and our Governor and General Assembly should take note.”
About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.
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