Data Center Community Impact Act

Mitigation of Environmental and Health Risks: The study aims to assess how data centers affect air quality, water supplies, and public health risks like summer heat and heat island effects (Section 3(b)(1), 3(b)(3), 3(b)(10)). This could help protect vulnerable populations from pollution and resource stress.

Economic Oversight: By studying the creation or displacement of jobs and the impact on local tax revenues and property values, the bill seeks to understand the full economic footprint of these facilities on their surrounding areas (Section 3(b)(7), 3(b)(8), 3(b)(9)).

Protection of Utility Costs: The study will examine the effect of data center energy consumption on the electric grid and whether it leads to increased electricity rates for residents (Section 3(b)(2), 3(b)(5)).

Development of Best Practices: The final report is intended to provide recommendations for Federal coordination and proposed guidelines that States and local governments can adopt to mitigate potential harms caused by data centers (Section 3(d)(2), 3(d)(3)).

Increased Environmental Burdens: The text notes that data centers involve significant energy and water consumption, which may impact local water supplies, drought-prone regions, and air quality via diesel generator emissions (Section 3(b)(1), 3(b)(3)).

Disproportionate Impacts on Vulnerable Groups: The bill identifies that communities of color, low-income communities, and Indian Tribes may face disproportionate burdens from environmental hazards and energy-related issues caused by the siting and operation of these facilities (Section 2(3), 2(4), 2(5)).