Data Center Transparency Act of 2026
Requires recurring public reports on large data centers’ water use, emissions, electricity consumption, and related household energy information.
In the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee since Sept. 30, 2026, 8 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 30, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Large data centers use electricity and water, raising questions about their effects on utilities and communities. The bill would require recurring public reports on data centers’ water use, water-system effects, and greenhouse gas emissions. It would also require reports on electricity use, grid construction, and household energy information.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Require recurring EPA water and emissions reports
The EPA Administrator would report publicly and to Congress on U.S. data centers’ water use and reuse, effects on local water systems, pollutants discharged into water, greenhouse gas emissions, and effects on overburdened communities. The reports would cover data centers that consume at least 50 megawatts each day.
- Track data center energy use and grid construction
The Energy Information Administration would collect each covered data center’s energy use, including totals for consecutive six-month periods, and information on energy-grid construction related to data centers, including the types of energy being built out.
- Publish energy and household-use reports
At least twice each year, the Energy Information Administration would report data center energy use by state, changes in use, the number of data centers that began operating, possible changes in household energy bills, and average household energy use and cost.
The bill focuses on how data centers use water and electricity and how that use may relate to local water systems, greenhouse gas emissions, energy-grid construction, and household bills. The reports could give the public and Congress information about those effects, including possible impacts on overburdened communities.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 30, 2026SENATESEP 30, 2026By Sen. Rochester with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Environment and Public Works
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 30, 2026ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS NOWSEP 30, 2026In committee for 8 daysNo hearing yet
- 8 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 302026SEP 30, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- SEP 302026SEP 30, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 8, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Blunt Rochester’s record: sponsored 45 bills this Congress. 2 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- John R. CurtisR-UTORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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