SB 521 VA

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Introduced

2027 SESSION INTRODUCED 26102641D SENATE BILL NO. 521 Offered January 14, 2026 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 32.1-248.2:1 , relating to data centers; rainwater harvesting systems. ————— Patron—Deeds ————— Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources ————— Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 32.1-248.2:1 as follows: § 32.1-248.2:1 . Data centers; rainwater harvesting systems. A. For the purposes of this section: "Data center" means a facility whose primary services are the storage, management, and processing of digital data and that is used to house (i) computer and network systems, including associated components such as servers, network equipment and appliances, telecommunications, and data storage systems; (ii) systems for monitoring and managing infrastructure performance; (iii) equipment used for the transformation, transmission, distribution, or management of at least one megawatt of capacity of electrical power and cooling, including substations, uninterruptible power supply systems, all electrical plant equipment, and associated air handlers; (iv) i nternet-related equipment and services; (v) data communications connections; (vi) environmental controls; (vii) fire protection systems; and (viii) security systems and services. "Non-potable water" means any water that is not classified as potable water. "Potable water" means water that is fit for human consumption, including drinking, food preparation, dishwashing, bathing, showering, handwashing, teeth brushing, and maintaining oral hygiene. "Rainwater harvesting system" means a water system for collecting, storing, potentially treating, and distributing rainwater for the use of water from such system. "Substantial expansion" means an increase in the size of the footprint of a data center by more than 10 percent. B. 1. A ny new construction or substantial expansion of a data center shall (i) include a rainwater harvesting system suffi cient to capture rainwater runoff from at least 30 percent of the total roof surface area of such data center and (ii) use such harvested rainwater for non-potable water needs, including irrigation or the dissipation of heat from any component of such data center. 2. Any rainwater harvesting system required by this section shall be designed, installed, and periodically inspected by a person certified by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering to ensure that safety and performance standards for such system are met. C. The Board, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Quality, may promulgate regulations as it deems necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section .