A Democratic bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Responsible Data Center Siting Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Energy to create best practices for where data centers should be located. The Secretary will consult with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Secretary of Defense, and other appropriate agencies to develop these guidelines. The process requires considering impacts on the electric grid, water use, the environment, local communities, national security, the workforce, and the local economy. Additionally, the Secretary must identify site characteristics that minimize negative impacts and provide a list of ideal locations. These best practices must be published on the Department of Energy website within one year of the Act's enactment. The Secretary is also required to review and revise these practices at least every two years.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Directs the consideration of impacts on air quality, water quality, and surrounding ecosystems.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Protects rural water and air quality from industrial data center impacts.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
Establishes best practices for land use regarding the siting of industrial data centers.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Federal guidelines may override or constrain state-level siting preferences.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Electricity Costs and Infrastructure: The bill requires looking at how data centers affect electricity prices for consumers and the need for new transmission infrastructure (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Water and Environmental Security: The Secretary must consider how water use impacts the availability of water for local residents and the surrounding environment (Section 2(b)(2)), as well as impacts on water quality, air quality, and ecosystems (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Community Character and Comfort: The guidelines will consider impacts on local communities regarding noise, light, and the overall appearance/character of the community (Section 2(b)(4)).
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National Security: The establishment of best practices includes considering national security implications of where data centers are located (Section 2(b)(5)).
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Economic and Workforce Benefits: The Secretary will consider the impact of data centers on the local workforce, including job opportunities, and the local economy, including tax revenue (Section 2(b)(6)-(7)).
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Minimizing Negative Impacts: The Secretary is tasked with identifying site characteristics that would minimize negative impacts and providing a list of ideal locations (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Electricity Grid Disruptions: The bill notes that data centers may cause changes in electricity prices for consumers and require additional transmission infrastructure buildout (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Environmental Degradation: There is a potential for negative impacts on water quality, air quality, and surrounding ecosystems (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Local Community Disruptions: Data centers may create negative impacts through noise and light, including from on-site electricity generation, and may change the character of a community (Section 2(b)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Protects rural water and air quality from industrial data center impacts. Would farmers be better off under this? — Protects water availability and prevents negative environmental impacts on surrounding land. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Aims to protect local resources and prevent spikes in electricity prices for consumers. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Protects local community quality of life and resource availability. Would business owners be better off under this? — Provides clear best practices and ideal locations for data center investment. Would union members be better off under this? — Encourages consideration of long-term job opportunities in the workforce.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Directs the consideration of impacts on air quality, water quality, and surrounding ecosystems. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Establishes best practices for land use regarding the siting of industrial data centers. Does this invest in rural communities? — Provides guidance on the ideal location for infrastructure that can bring economic growth to specific areas. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Requires the Secretary to consider impacts on emissions from on-site electricity generation.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Establishes guidelines to optimize the economic impact and tax revenue from data centers. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill requires consideration of short and long term job opportunities related to data center siting. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Considers the impact of data centers on electricity prices for consumers.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires the publication of best practices on a public government website. Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants the Secretary of Energy authority to establish best practices for industry siting. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Federal guidelines may override or constrain state-level siting preferences.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — Imposes guidelines and considerations on where Big Tech companies can site data centers.
- 9/8/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Veronica EscobarDemocrat · Texas
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Greg StantonDemocrat · Arizona
Hillary ScholtenDemocrat · Michigan