Responsible Data Center Siting Act of 2026

This Act may be cited as the “Responsible Data Center Siting Act of 2026”.

(a) Establishment.— The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Secretary of Defense, and other agencies the Secretary of Energy determines appropriate, shall establish best practices for the siting of data centers.

(b) Considerations.— In establishing or revising best practices for the siting of data centers under this section, the Secretary of Energy shall take into consideration—

(1) the impacts of a data center on the electric grid, including transmission infrastructure, including—

(A) changes in electricity prices for consumers that may be attributed to a data center;

(B) any additional transmission infrastructure buildout needed to supply electricity to a data center; and

(C) the availability and capacity of existing transmission infrastructure to transmit electricity to a data center and timelines for the connection of a data center to the electric grid;

(2) the impacts of the water use by the data center, including impacts on water availability to local residents and the surrounding environment;

(3) the impacts of a data center on the surrounding environment, including—

(A) impacts on water quality and air quality;

(B) impacts to surrounding ecosystems;

(C) impacts on emissions, including from on-site electricity generation; and

(D) any other environmental impacts the Secretary determines appropriate;

(4) the impacts of a data center on local communities, including impacts of—

(A) noise and light generated by a data center, including from on-site electricity generation; and

(B) the appearance of a data center on the character of the community;

(5) the national security implications of the siting of a data center at various types of locations, including implications of siting multiple data centers in a particular location;

(6) the impacts of a data center on the local workforce, including on long term and short term job opportunities; and

(7) the impacts of a data center on the local economy, including on tax revenue, with consideration of tax benefits offered at the State level.

(c) Inclusion.— The Secretary of Energy shall include in the best practices established or revised under this section—

(1) the characteristics of a site for the siting of a data center that would minimize any impacts described in subsection (b) that are negative; and

(2) a list of ideal locations that meet such characteristics for a data center to be sited.

(d) Initial publication.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall make available on the public website of the Department of Energy the best practices for the siting of data centers established under subsection (a).

(e) Revisions.— Not later than 2 years after making available on the public website of the Department of Energy best practices for the siting of data centers under subsection (d), and at least once every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of Energy shall—

(1) review and revise the best practices as the Secretary determines necessary; and

(2) make available on the public website of the Department of Energy any such revised best practices.

(f) Definition.— In this Act, the term data center has the meaning given such term in section 453 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17112).