A Bill … relating to large data centers; moratorium; approval requirements; prevailing wage required; public utility independent classifications; community investment program; report. (SB850, VA)

Places a one-year moratorium on the issuance of permits by the Department of Environmental Quality and by municipalities for large data centers. Prohibits Department from issuing approvals for large data centers unless it conducts public hearings with notice giving info about energy and water impacts and incentives and implements a community investment program for installing residential energy technologies, paying for infrastructure improvements, taking measures to prevent water impacts, and participating in career training programs. Requires construction workers on data center project to be paid prevailing wage. Directs State Corporation Commission to require utilities to establish a service classification of service for large data centers by July 2031 that ensures full cost-covering. Directs Department to prepare an environmental impact report on data center development by January 2029 including: electricity consumption and subsidies, water consumption and discharge, land use and impact on farmland, pollution including carbon and noise, electronic waste, health impacts, use of public funds, legislative and regulatory recommendations for mitigating impacts. Directs Department to determine reasonable energy efficiency goals.