House leaders propose data center commission

(The Center Square) – House of Delegates leaders on Friday proposed creating a Virginia Commission on Data Center Accountability while leaving the state’s existing data center sales and use tax exemption in place.

Speaker Don Scott and House Appropriations Chairman Luke Torian described the measure as a compromise budget proposal as lawmakers work toward a budget agreement before the June 30 deadline.

The proposal would establish a 13-member commission to review data center incentives, energy demand, infrastructure costs, environmental impacts, workforce issues and community concerns.

Under the proposal, the Virginia Commission on Data Center Accountability would include lawmakers; administration officials; a State Corporation Commission representative and members appointed by the governor representing a data center customer; a utility; an environmental or conservation organization; a skilled-trades organization; and a locality.

The commission would be required to hold at least four public meetings, complete its mee...