RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Community members are reacting after Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) announced her new Data Center Accountability Framework on Friday, echoing mixed reviews from lawmakers. The framework was built around five pillars designed to protect the environment and prioritize people when developing. Some Central Virginians and lawmakers support the different policies she laid out, while others think it's not enough. “These are the kinds of rules and guidelines and guardrails that we needed five or eight years ago," said Varina resident Gray Montrose. “I think she is feeling the heat from organizations and grassroots groups. So she’s trying to take some of that pressure off and just do something, but it’s definitely not enough," said Jennifer Corpus, founder of Friends of Hanover, a data center opposition group. Effective immediately, the executive order, issued by Spanberger, bans non-disclosure agreements between state executive branch agencies and developers, creates a new AI task force to address job concerns and speeds up data center noise regulation. Corpus said she views the governor's efforts as acting in her own self-interest. “That’s great for the state level, but for those of us who have been fighting these local fights for so long, it doesn’t make any difference," Corpus said. For Montrose, parts of the executive order are exciting, and she hopes it will lead by example for localities. Her worry, though, is that the data center industry has taken off and legislators are scrambling. “We are so behind," Montrose explained. “There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of data centers in the pipeline that are already down the road of permitting that already have various approvals. They’re not going to backtrack on those.” Organizations like Clean Virginia and the Data Center Coalition have taken cautious stances, saying this is a step in the right direction, but how exactly the policy is enforced will be the true test. “There’s been so much public trust eroded. And what I worry about with this executive order, as many good things as are in it, it doesn’t stop the fire," Montrose said. Parts of the overall framework still requires the General Assembly approval. The next legislative session convenes in January 2027. ...read more read less