Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger unveiled a Data Center Accountability Framework aimed at tightening oversight of the state’s rapidly expanding data-center industry. The framework targets noise pollution, water consumption, clean-energy use and local job creation, while executive actions establish a rapid-response AI task force, require a toolkit for communities considering proposed projects and bar state agencies and employees from signing nondisclosure agreements covering planned developments. Earlier elements of Spanberger’s package included restrictions on on-site natural-gas generation, community benefits agreements and limits on nondisclosure agreements for projects of 25 megawatts or more. Some measures require legislation, and Spanberger said she would work with Virginia’s General Assembly to codify parts of the plan. Northern Virginia, known as Data Center Alley, has seen a surge in construction as policymakers across the country respond to concerns about energy costs, water use and environmental impacts. Governors in Nevada, Maryland and Texas, as well as candidates in New Mexico, have pursued or supported related restrictions. The Data Center Coalition said workable policies would need meaningful stakeholder engagement to protect jobs, investment and clean-energy deployment.