Lawmakers debate how to regulate data centers’ diesel backup generators

By: Shannon Heckt

Outlets: Virginia Mercury

Published: February 17, 2026

Words: 732

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

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There are over 9,000 backup generators that can supply emergency power to Northern Virginia data centers, some of which run on diesel and emit toxins. The use of these generators became a flashpoint in communities concerned about the health impacts of the emissions and fueled legislation in this year’s General Assembly session, as new research sheds more light on how much pollution the generators produce.

The Department of Environmental Quality limits when the …

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