US lawmakers propose "Data Center Bill of Rights" to curb AI infrastructure expansion

Odaily News, according to CNBC, U.S. Representative Ro Khanna plans to introduce a "Data Center Bill of Rights" to grant local communities the power to reject data center construction. As public concern grows over the massive energy demands of AI infrastructure driving up electricity bills and exacerbating water stress, controversy over data center expansion continues to heat up across the United States. Khanna said that during a recent visit to Pennsylvania, the strongest feedback he received was widespread public opposition to data center construction. He said: "We need a bill of rights so that communities don't have to be forced to accept these data centers and ensure they are not built on farmland or in residential areas."

The proposal includes multiple protective measures for the rights of local communities and governments, as well as requirements that data centers use clean and reliable energy and comply with pollution emission limits. Currently, several states, including New York, have already implemented data center construction moratoriums, and opponents of data centers have also recently scored major electoral victories. Khanna stated that the hyperscalers building data centers are "losing this country."