Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, is introducing a resolution that would grant local communities the authority to reject the construction of data centers, which have been met with increasing opposition due to their significant energy and water consumption. This initiative comes as voters express concerns about potential utility rate hikes linked to these facilities.
Khanna's proposal includes specific measures such as prohibiting data centers from being built within 2,500 feet of sensitive areas like homes and schools, ensuring a transparent community process for rejecting proposals, and allowing states to impose moratoriums on new data centers until adequate protections are established.
The resolution also emphasizes the need for data centers to utilize clean energy and adhere to pollution standards. This legislative effort reflects a growing political backlash against data centers, particularly in light of their role in supporting the booming AI industry, which has intensified investment but also raised local living costs.
With several states already implementing moratoriums, Khanna's bill could significantly influence the future of data center development across the U.S., especially as the midterm elections approach and public sentiment shifts against these facilities