The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Carroll County
Anti-Data Center Policies
Carroll County’s enacted emergency ordinance—though its description uses future-tense language—sets temporary noise and water-analysis requirements and makes developers cover utility costs. A separate Virginia measure adds cooling, study, and bonding requirements; neither description says data centers are banned.
current law · County measureRegulates data centers under an emergency ordinance approved by the county supervisors.Carroll County Emergency Ordinance Regulating Hyperscale Data Centers (2026)
What this means
The measure would add noise limits, water-use analysis, and costs for developers to cover utility upgrades and rate increases. It is described as an emergency ordinance lasting up to 60 days, so it creates meaningful but temporary hurdles rather than a lasting ban.
Timing
Reported effective up to 60 days from September 14, 2026; no exact legal expiration or permanent replacement verified.
People behind it
- Greg Horton
Moves adoption.
- Bill Bryant
Seconds motion.
- Jody Early
Sole dissent.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Reported noise limits between 60 and 70 decibels, engineering analyses to estimate water use, and utility rate-increase obligations. Official ordinance text unavailable; other prepared details not independently reverified.
Sources
current law · County measureRequires Carroll County data centers to use closed-loop cooling, account for water use and cleanup costs, post a cleanup bond, cover related utility costs, and meet noise limits.Virginia Emergency Ordinance Regulating Hyperscale Data Centers (2026)
What this means
The measure would add meaningful costs and requirements, including closed-loop cooling, engineering studies, a decommissioning bond, and payment for related utility upgrades and rate increases. Noise limits could also constrain operations, but the measure does not ban data centers or prevent them from being built.
People behind it
- Sheriff
Would dispose of, sell, or use abandoned personal property under the proposed ordinance.
- Carroll County Board of Supervisors
Adopted the emergency ordinance regulating data center development.
- Tracy Moore
Moved to direct the county’s planning commission to consider Comprehensive Plan amendments addressing data centers.
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- Carroll County Planning Commission
Was directed to consider Comprehensive Plan amendments addressing data centers.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5
Data centers must use closed-loop cooling and may not use groundwater as their primary cooling source.
Data centers must provide engineering analyses estimating their impacts on water use and their decommissioning costs.
Owners must provide a surety bond sufficient to cover decommissioning and restoration of the property after the data center closes.
Owners must pay utility rate increases and utility upgrades associated with the data center.
Noise at the boundary of an adjacent property must not exceed 70 decibels from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 60 decibels from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Violations may be charged as a Class 3 misdemeanor; a second offense may be charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Sources
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