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119-s-5640119th Congress

Data Center Transparency Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would require regular, public reporting on the environmental and energy impacts of large data centers. It sets two parallel streams of disclosure so policymakers and the public can track water use, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and effects on household energy costs for big facilities.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Quarterly EPA data center reports

If enacted, the EPA would publish public reports on the environmental effects of large data centers. The first report would be due within 6 months of enactment, then at least once every 3 months. Each report would cover the prior 3 months and would report total water used and reused, effects on local water systems (including potable water availability, utility demand, service disruptions, and residential rate changes), pollutants discharged (as defined in 33 U.S.C. 1362), total greenhouse gas emissions, and effects on overburdened communities. The reporting would apply to U.S. data centers that use at least 50 megawatts each day.

Semiannual energy reports for data centers

If enacted, the Energy Information Administration would collect energy-use data from large data centers and publish reports at least twice a year. Each semiannual report would cover the most recent 6-month period and would show total energy used by data centers by State, changes in consumption, the number of data centers that began operating, changes in household energy bills, and average household energy use and cost. The EIA would also collect data on energy grid buildout and the types of energy being added. The reporting would apply to U.S. data centers that use at least 50 megawatts each day.

Which data centers must report

If enacted, the bill would use the data center definition in section 453(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and add a threshold: covered facilities must consume at least 50 megawatts each day. That threshold would decide which data centers must submit the EPA and EIA reports. The provision would take effect on enactment and would not itself create new penalties, funding, or other regulatory rules beyond the reporting requirements.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

DE • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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