The Virginia Natural Resources Subcommittee advanced multiple data center environmental accountability bills — including Tier 4 generator standards and a DEQ pollution study — while laying on the table both a water-use transparency bill and a generator emissions disclosure bill, with contested 7-3 votes reflecting division over environmental justice guidance and generator permitting requirements.
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Nicole Riley of the Data Center Coalition argued the bill unfairly targets one industry and that policymakers should know the water usage of all commercial and industrial users, citing a 2024 JLOCK report finding data center water usage currently sustainable. Marcus B. Simon countered: 'The data center coalition mentioned that the water use. Nothing to see here that there's no problem. We don't know that because we don't have the data' — arguing the bill simply adds a layer of transparency that benefits everyone including the data center industry.
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“Leader. Delegate hearing. Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. I just want everyone to know you can find the substitute on lis. It is up on this Bill. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Yes, please look at LIS as we get amendments and substitutes throughout committee. Are there other questions from”
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Sign in to subscribeGood morning. We are going to call the committee to order, but we're going to go at ease for one second. Thank you. Before crossover. Mr. Clerk, if you can open the roll. All right, it looks like we have a quorum this morning. I'm going to call Delia Guzman up first to present her bill. I have a substitute for your consideration for House Bill 1502. There's a substitute that's properly been moved and seconded. All those in favor say Aye. All right, Any opposed? Dalia Guzman. The substitutes before us. If you could explain your bill and what's in the substitute. Thank you, Madam chair. House Bill 1502 directs the Department of Environmental Quality to conduct a one year study of all standby generators used by commercial facilities in the Commonwealth, including data centers, and explore ways to address the pollution from such generators. We all know that standby generators produce many harmful pollutants. These pollutants have been associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and emergency room visits for asthma, among other health effects. The study shall identify commercial facilities that use standby generators, including data centers, and identify the type of pollutants emitted. And analyze and describe…
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