hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Requires data centers to report energy and water use.
Senator Durbin (D-IL) introduced it.
In Senate committee, no vote yet.
This bill would make large data centers annually report their energy and water use to states or federal agencies. They would also project future use and propose efficiency improvements. Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, introduced this bill. It is currently being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and has not yet had a vote.
Introduced Mar 25, 2026
This bill was introduced in the Senate on March 25, 2026, by Senator Durbin. It was then referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for review. For the bill to become law, it would need to pass in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and then be signed by the President.
If this bill passes, large data centers (using at least 25 megawatts) would have to provide annual reports detailing their energy and water consumption, projected future use, and plans to reduce usage. If states don't collect this data, federal agencies (EPA, Energy, Agriculture) would. These federal agencies would then publish annual reports summarizing the overall energy and water use of data centers, their regional impacts on utility rates, and environmental consequences. Additionally, data centers that negligently fail to submit required reports could face daily fines of $20,000.
Supporters Say
Supporters believe this bill will increase transparency and encourage data centers to reduce their environmental footprint.
Critics Say
Critics might argue that reporting requirements and potential fines create an unnecessary burden on businesses.
The bill aims to shed light on the substantial energy and water demands of data centers, which are growing rapidly. Proponents would highlight the importance of understanding and managing these resources to protect communities and the environment. Those who oppose the bill might raise concerns about the administrative and financial costs imposed on data center operators, potentially slowing innovation or increasing operational expenses.