Responsible Data Center Siting Act of 2026

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)).

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)).

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)).

National Security: The establishment of best practices includes considering national security implications of where data centers are located (Section 2(b)(5)).

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)).

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)).

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)).

Environmental Degradation: There is a potential for negative impacts on water quality, air quality, and surrounding ecosystems (Section 2(b)(3)).

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)).