Subcommittee advances revised data-center siting bill after mixed testimony
January 23, 2026 | 2026 Legislature VA, Virginia
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The House subcommittee reported House Bill 153 in substitute form after a morning of presentations and public testimony that highlighted competing priorities around data-center siting.
Delegate Josh Thomas, the patron, described the bill as “a word for word, replica” of a previously vetoed measure and said it contains “two portions to it. 1 is mandatory, 1 is permissive,” listing mandatory requirements such as consideration of sound studies near residential areas and greater disclosure about energy infrastructure including substations. The bill incorporated House Bill 511 by motion before the vote.
Environmental and conservation groups testified in support. Kyle Hart of the National Parks Conservation Association told the subcommittee the group has “been tracking the issue of data centers and their impact on national parks for more than 5 years” and urged favorable action. Several local-government and conservation groups — including the Piedmont Environmental Council and the Virginia Conservation Network — also urged the committee to move the bill.
Industry representatives gave mixed testimony. Nicole Riley, director of government affairs for the Virginia Data Center Coalition, described the coalition as“kind of here in the middle ground, between support and opposition,” saying the industry had concerns about last year’s proposal but was prepared to work within the revised framework.
Committee counsel and members clarified applicability: the bill’s requirements apply where a locality has an adopted zoning ordinance and do not remove localities’ authority to approve or deny siting decisions. After motions to substitute and incorporate HB 511, the clerk recorded a vote: HB 153 in substitute form reported 8 to 0.
Next steps: with the substitute reported by the subcommittee, HB 153 will proceed through the legislative process with the substitute language incorporating additional disclosure and mandatory review steps for localities that have zoning.
Delegate Josh Thomas, the patron, described the bill as “a word for word, replica” of a previously vetoed measure and said it contains “two portions to it. 1 is mandatory, 1 is permissive,” listing mandatory requirements such as consideration of sound studies near residential areas and greater disclosure about energy infrastructure including substations. The bill incorporated House Bill 511 by motion before the vote.
Environmental and conservation groups testified in support. Kyle Hart of the National Parks Conservation Association told the subcommittee the group has “been tracking the issue of data centers and their impact on national parks for more than 5 years” and urged favorable action. Several local-government and conservation groups — including the Piedmont Environmental Council and the Virginia Conservation Network — also urged the committee to move the bill.
Industry representatives gave mixed testimony. Nicole Riley, director of government affairs for the Virginia Data Center Coalition, described the coalition as“kind of here in the middle ground, between support and opposition,” saying the industry had concerns about last year’s proposal but was prepared to work within the revised framework.
Committee counsel and members clarified applicability: the bill’s requirements apply where a locality has an adopted zoning ordinance and do not remove localities’ authority to approve or deny siting decisions. After motions to substitute and incorporate HB 511, the clerk recorded a vote: HB 153 in substitute form reported 8 to 0.
Next steps: with the substitute reported by the subcommittee, HB 153 will proceed through the legislative process with the substitute language incorporating additional disclosure and mandatory review steps for localities that have zoning.
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