Subcommittee backs data-center water‑use disclosure bill after broad environmental support (HB496 reports 6‑1)

Delegate Doug Guzman presented House Bill 496, which would require applicants for data centers and similar large commercial facilities to provide estimated average daily, maximum daily and total annual water-use figures as part of local review processes.

"This bill increases government transparency and will allow localities to plan for water use," Guzman said, referencing a December 2024 JLARC report and saying the change is intended to help local water authorities and the Department of Environmental Quality verify demand.

The bill drew consistent support from conservation and riverkeeper groups, the Virginia Farm Bureau and open-government advocates. Kyle Hart of the National Parks Conservation Association called HB496 "good water policy" and a matter of transparency. Madeline Green of Potomac Riverkeeper Network urged the panel to support the bill, noting a regional report that found data-center growth contributes to uncertainty in water supply for the Potomac basin.

Industry and manufacturing representatives asked for clarifications about scope, warning the bill could sweep ordinary factories into new reporting requirements; a manufacturer representative urged targeted exemptions to avoid imposing new permitting burdens on thousands of facilities.

After questions and discussion about narrow scope and implementation, the subcommittee voted to report HB496 to the full committee with a 6‑1 tally.

The report vote advances the bill for further consideration by the full committee; committee members asked the patron and stakeholders to refine language to avoid unintended burdens on manufacturing and to clarify coordination with DEQ.