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SB 289

Stormwater management regulations; enterprise data center operations.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Danica Roem

SB 289 exempts or modifies stormwater management compliance requirements for Virginia enterprise data centers to facilitate development.

Left in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 289

Legislative bill overview

SB 289 modifies Virginia's stormwater management regulations to create exemptions or modified compliance pathways for enterprise data center operations. The bill addresses how large data centers—facilities with significant water management needs—must comply with state stormwater regulations, potentially streamlining permitting or reducing certain environmental requirements specific to their operations.

Why is this important

Data centers are major economic drivers in Virginia and require substantial infrastructure investment, but they also generate significant stormwater runoff. This bill directly affects whether the state prioritizes development incentives for data centers against environmental protection standards, with implications for both economic competitiveness and water quality in affected regions.

Potential points of contention

  • Environmental protection vs. economic development: Exemptions or reduced stormwater standards could allow more runoff into local waterways, conflicting with clean water goals and impacts on downstream communities
  • Regulatory fairness: Granting data centers preferential treatment over other industrial operations raises questions about equal application of environmental laws
  • Long-term costs: Weakened stormwater management may shift pollution control expenses to municipalities or require future costly remediation rather than upfront compliance
  • Committee delay: The bill's continuation to 2025 after a close committee vote (10-7) suggests significant legislative disagreement about its merits

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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