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2026 Special Session I

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Conference Report)

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Data Center Noise Regulations (language only)

Item 367 #2c

Item 367 #2c

Natural and Historic Resources
Department of Environmental Quality

Language

Page 449, after line 46, insert:

"E. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department shall adopt and is authorized to enforce regulations for noise at any data center, as that term is defined in subdivision A 43 of § 58.1-3506, Code of Virginia, to be effective no later than December 31, 2029. Such regulations shall: (i) be based on the Department's determination of the lowest achievable noise from a data center; (ii) establish the lowest achievable noise for a data center; (iii) provide that on or after January 1, 2030, any data center that violates such regulations shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $32,500 per day of violation; and, (iv) authorize and provide for enforcement by the Department or the locality in which the data center is located. The initial promulgation of such regulations is hereby exempted from the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). This item and such regulations shall not be construed to limit the authority of any locality to adopt a more restrictive local ordinance regulating noise."



Explanation

(This amendment authorizes the Department of Environment Quality to adopt and enforce regulations for noise at data centers.)