Elections

Key players in the data center development process are trying to influence key elections. In just one example, Virginia’s state-regulated utility monopoly Dominion Energy spent $650,000 backing a candidate in the attorney general race, a role designed to hold utility companies like Dominion accountable for harm to ratepayers.¹ The looming threat that individuals, corporations, or political action committees (PACs) may retaliate against legislators who regulate data centers by spending money in elections significantly influences how and when legislators choose to impose regulations. In 11 states (including Indiana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia), there are no contribution limits on individual donors. In five states (including Virginia) corporations can give unlimited amounts of money to candidates that meet certain conditions. Seven states allow PACs to contribute unlimited funds to candidates.²

Establish Commonsense Limits for Individual and PAC Contributions

States can pass laws restricting the amount of money that individuals and political action committees can contribute to elections.

Prohibit Corporate Contributions to Political Campaigns

States can pass laws restricting the amount of money that corporations can contribute to elections.

1. Amy Waters, “Why Is Dominion Energy Trying to Buy the Attorney General’s Office?,” Clean Virginia, June 10, 2025, https://www.cleanvirginia.org/2025/06/10/blog-why-is-dominion-trying-to-buy-the-attorney-generals-office. ↩︎
2. “Campaign Contribution Limits: Overview,” NCSL, updated July 09, 2025, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/campaign-contribution-limits-overview. ↩︎