Senators Push for More Transparency on Data Center Energy Usage
Senators Warren and Hawley urge the Energy Information Administration to collect comprehensive data on data centers' electricity consumption, aiming to prevent rising costs for American families.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley are pressing the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to provide better information on the electricity usage of data centers. In a joint letter, the lawmakers are calling for the agency to publicly collect comprehensive, annual energy-use disclosures from data centers, arguing this data is essential for accurate grid planning and will support policymaking to prevent large companies from increasing electricity costs for American families.
The push for greater transparency comes as the data center boom continues to spread across the country, raising concerns among voters about how these facilities' massive energy needs may impact consumer electricity bills. This issue has shaped some midterm elections in data-center-heavy states like Virginia and Georgia. Last month, Hawley co-sponsored a bill with Senator Richard Blumenthal that would require data centers to supply their own power sources to protect consumers. Earlier this month, former President Donald Trump convened a group of tech leaders to discuss data center energy efficiency and sustainability.
Fuente: Ars Technica
