Data centers; use of emergency generation unit, disclosure requirements.
<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 10.1-1308.2, relating to Department of Environmental Quality; data centers; use of emergency generation unit; disclosure requirements.</p>
Enacted
This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.
Sponsor
Thomas
Last action
2026-02-18
Official status
Failed
Effective date
Not listed
Plain English Breakdown
The official source material does not provide specific details on penalties or enforcement mechanisms.
Data Centers Must Report Emergency Power Use
This law requires data centers with air permits from the DEQ to report on their websites within 24 hours when they will use emergency power generators.
What This Bill Does
Defines what a 'data center' is and excludes certain telecommunications facilities from this definition.
Requires data centers that have been issued an air permit by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to report on their websites within 24 hours when they will use emergency power generators.
Who It Names or Affects
Data center operators who have special air permits from the DEQ
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) which will enforce reporting requirements
Terms To Know
Emergency generation unit
A backup power system used by data centers when regular electricity is not available.
Air permit
A permission from the Department of Environmental Quality to release certain amounts of air pollutants.
Limits and Unknowns
The bill does not specify what happens if a data center fails to report their emergency power use.
It is unclear how this law will be enforced or what penalties might apply for non-compliance.
Amendments
These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.
Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Amendment
Plain English: The amendment changes which facilities are considered data centers under Virginia law and updates requirements for disclosing emergency generation unit usage.
Excludes telecommunications provider-owned facilities, Title VI cable operator facilities, and those primarily supporting telecommunications or cable network operations from being classified as data centers.
Removes the requirement that a data center must operate an emergency generation unit to be subject to certain regulations.
Requires data centers to have been issued an air permit by the Department of Environmental Quality instead of operating an emergency generation unit.
Modifies disclosure requirements for emergency generation units, specifying details about start and stop times for permitted engines.
The amendment text does not provide full context or implications beyond these specific changes.
Bill History
2026-02-18House
Left in Committee Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2026-02-18House
Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
2026-02-11Natural Resources
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (9-Y 1-N)
2026-02-11Natural Resources
House subcommittee offered
2026-02-09Natural Resources
Assigned HACNR sub: Natural Resources
2026-02-08House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB154)
2026-01-06House
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101357D
2026-01-06Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Official Summary Text
Department of Environmental Quality; data centers; use of emergency generation unit; disclosure requirements.
Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to require each data center that operates an emergency generation unit, as those terms are defined in the bill, to report on a publicly accessible website within 24 hours the times when such emergency generation unit will be in operation.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB 154
SUBCOMMITTEE
1. Line 14, introduced, after
58.1-3506
.
insert
"Data center" shall not include facilities owned and operated by a telecommunications provider or Title VI cable operator, or facilities that primarily support telecommunications or Title VI cable network operations.
SUBCOMMITTEE
2. Line 15, introduced
strike
all of lines 15 through 21
SUBCOMMITTEE
3. Line 22, introduced, after
that
strike
operates an emergency generation unit
insert
has been issued an air permit by the Department
SUBCOMMITTEE
4. Line 23, introduced, after
website
strike
the remainder of line 23 and through
operation
on line 24
insert
(i) for operations known at least 24 hours in advance, the start and stop time when any permitted engine will be in operation 24 hours in advance of such event and (ii) for operations known in fewer than 24 hours, the start and stop times when any permitted engine has been in operation within 24 hours of such event