Lawmakers Push Back Against AI Data Centers' Power Demands

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As the electricity and water demands of AI data centers have grown, federal and state lawmakers have begun pushing back, introducing bills to regulate or halt development entirely. This week, Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal introduced a bipartisan bill to prevent data center power usage from affecting consumer electric bills. New York also proposed a bill to pause data center construction within state lines, joining other states in attempting to legislate an industry that threatens an overtaxed power grid.

Why it matters

The rapid growth of AI data centers has raised concerns about their impact on local power grids and utility costs for consumers. Lawmakers are trying to address this issue proactively, as the current regulatory framework was not designed to handle the dramatic increase in demand created by AI data centers.

The details

This week, Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced the first bipartisan bill in Congress designed to prevent data center power usage from affecting consumers' electric bills. A week earlier, on Feb. 6, New York became at least the sixth state to have its legislators propose a bill to pause data center construction within state lines. This legislation would effectively shut out New York as a potential site for new data centers if it passes.

• This week, Sens. Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal introduced a bipartisan bill.
• On Feb. 6, New York proposed a bill to pause data center construction.

What they’re saying