Bill > HB338

This bill allows local governments in Virginia to conduct a site assessment before approving the location of a new data center, with the specific purpose of evaluating the potential impact of the data center on water usage and carbon emissions within the locality. The bill modifies existing law by changing a mandatory requirement ("shall") to a permissive option ("may"), giving localities more discretion in performing these assessments. Originally, the proposed language also included an assessment of impacts on agricultural resources, but this provision has been removed. The bill represents a nuanced approach to local government oversight of data center development, providing municipalities with a tool to understand and potentially mitigate the environmental consequences of large-scale technology infrastructure projects before granting approval.