Virginia cracks down on electricity firms hiking prices for AI data centers — move could save ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ for everyday users

Virginia has mandated that data centers, which consume significant electricity for AI operations, must pay for their own dedicated power infrastructure to prevent costs from being passed to regular consumers. This policy aims to curb rising electricity prices linked to the state's 570 data centers, the largest concentration in the US. Governor Abigail Spanberger supports the move to ensure fair cost distribution and environmental standards.