# Spanberger unveils ‘most aggressive’ data center regulation in nation

> Source: <https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/4733391/spanberger-data-center-regulation-order/>
> Published: 2026-09-18 19:02:22+00:00

Gov. [Abigail Spanberger](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/abigail-spanberger/) (D-VA) unveiled what she calls the nation’s “most comprehensive and aggressive” data center regulations in [Virginia](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/virginia/), aiming to hold companies accountable, reduce energy costs, and safeguard environmental protections.

Her executive order announcement came on the heels of a week centered on the topic of [artificial intelligence](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/artificial-intelligence/), as Americans have increasingly raised concerns about the data center infrastructure powering AI, and top industry executives call for [national guardrails](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/4725507/artificial-intelligence-guardrails-anthropic-china-trump/) on frontier AI development.

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