Greg Landsman (D-OH)
Protecting Communities from Data Center Impacts Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
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 "Protecting Communities from Data Center Impacts Act of 2026" requires the EPA Administrator to work with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The goal is to conduct an assessment of how data centers affect public health and the environment. This includes looking at noise, air pollution, water, carbon emissions, and waste. The National Academies must also create recommendations to lessen these impacts. A final report must be submitted to specific House and Senate committees within 180 days of the law's enactment.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The legislation requires a comprehensive assessment of environmental impacts from data centers such as air and noise pollution.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into medical research?
The bill commissions a scientific assessment by the National Academies regarding the environmental and health impacts of data centers.
- Scored +4
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The assessment explicitly requires studying carbon emissions and waste to develop mitigation recommendations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Environmental and Health Oversight: The bill requires an assessment of noise pollution, air pollution, water consumption, water supply, carbon emissions, and electronic waste caused by data centers (Section 2(1)). This could help identify specific harms to the public.
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Mitigation Strategies: The bill mandates the development of recommendations to mitigate the negative impacts identified in the assessment (Section 2(2)). This could lead to ways to reduce the burden on communities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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 children be better off under this? — Studying environmental and public health impacts helps safeguard children living near data centers. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Low-income communities are often disproportionately affected by industrial pollution, which this bill seeks to address. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural residents facing data center developments will benefit from assessments on water and land usage. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors often benefit from improved air quality and reduced public health risks studied by the bill. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban and suburban residents near large technology infrastructure will benefit from better environmental mitigation.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The legislation requires a comprehensive assessment of environmental impacts from data centers such as air and noise pollution. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The assessment explicitly requires studying carbon emissions and waste to develop mitigation recommendations.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill commissions a scientific assessment by the National Academies regarding the environmental and health impacts of data centers. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill mandates a study on the public health effects of data centers, helping protect communities from associated health risks.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — It tasks the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine with conducting a formal study. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill initiates federal oversight and reporting requirements regarding the environmental footprint of data centers.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires a formal report to congressional committees to ensure accountability regarding data center impacts. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates that the EPA Administrator enter into an agreement for a national assessment report to Congress.
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House
Vicente GonzalezDemocrat · Texas