Protecting Communities from Data Center Impacts Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to work with the National Academies of Sciences to study how data centers affect the environment and public health. Data centers are large buildings full of computers that power the internet and AI.
• Researchers would look at several specific issues, including noise and air pollution, how much water these facilities use, and the amount of electronic waste they produce. They will also look at how these centers affect local water supplies and carbon emissions.
• The goal of the study is to create a list of recommendations for the government on how to reduce the negative effects these facilities have on nearby communities.
• A final report with these findings and suggestions must be delivered to Congress within six months of the bill becoming law.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.