Gov. Youngkin rejects bipartisan data center reform measure | FFXnow

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has delayed – if not outright killed – implementation of a bipartisan bill that requires data center developers to disclose noise and environmental impacts before receiving local approval.Following Youngkin’s amendment [last] week, the requirement won’t go into effect until 2026 at the earliest.Themeasure, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly with broad support, sought to give local governments more oversight of high-energy facilities by mandating site assessments before rezoning or special use permits could be approved.Instead of signing the bill, Youngkin sent it back to lawmakers with a recommendation that it not take effect unless reenacted by the 2026 General Assembly — a procedural move that puts the legislation on hold indefinitely.Del. Josh Thomas, D-Prince William, who sponsored the bill, condemned the amendment, calling it “disappointing.”“Since taking office, I’ve made it a priority to establish common-sense guardrails on the data center ind...