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119-hr-10950119th CongressWALLET

Data Center Oversight Act

Sponsored By: Representative Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Introduced

Summary

Mandatory public disclosures for large data centers would require sponsors of data centers of 20 megawatts or more to file detailed public reports with the Energy Information Administration. The EIA would maintain a free, searchable database that posts filings and quarterly aggregate statistics.

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  • Families and local customers get public data on nearby facilities, projected effects on electricity rates and monthly bills for the next 10 years, and a list of protected places within 1,000 feet.
  • Sponsors and operators must submit complete disclosures on set timelines, can be held jointly liable when multiple sponsors exist, and face civil penalties up to $1,000,000 per day for violations.
  • The Secretary of Energy, through the EIA, must publish each filing within 15 days, allow bulk open-format downloads, and display quarterly statistics by Nation, State, and county on facility counts, loads, costs, and water use.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Large fines for bad data reports

If enacted, a sponsor that fails to file a complete and accurate disclosure, or files a materially misleading statement, would be subject to enforcement under the Federal Energy Administration Act. Civil penalties could be imposed up to $1,000,000 for each day the violation continues.

Free public data center database

If enacted, the Department of Energy would host a free public database with each disclosure in the form filed and as searchable data fields. The database would be linked from DOE's homepage, allow bulk downloads, and require each statement to be posted within 15 days of receipt. The main page would show quarterly national, State, and county stats on covered facility counts and load, reported costs and the portion not paid by sponsors, and prior-year water volumes. Filings that withhold or redact required information would be posted and identified as incomplete.

New reporting rules for data centers

If enacted, sponsors of covered facilities would have to file detailed disclosure statements with the Energy Information Administration. Filings would be due 30 days before construction, 30 days after operations begin, and by March 1 for each of the 10 calendar years after operations start. Projects that began before the applicability date would file an initial disclosure within 90 days after the applicability date (the rule applies one year after enactment). The Secretary would issue implementing regulations within 9 months, but reporting would apply even before those rules take effect.

Which data centers must report

If enacted, a data center would be covered when its facility load is 20 megawatts or more. The bill would count load as the greater of service agreement demand plus non-backup on-site generation, or the facility's full build-out demand. It would define a data center to include AI, cloud, and cryptocurrency computing, and would treat nearby or contiguous sites under common control as one facility. These rules would decide which projects must file disclosures under the bill.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

VA • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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