The Data Center Bill That Never Says "Data Center"
The federal SPEED Act, a permitting bill backed by the tech industry, aims to rewrite the 1970 NEPA law to streamline environmental reviews for infrastructure projects like gas plants and transmission lines that power data centers. Although it doesn't explicitly mention data centers, its passage would significantly affect data center power development. The bill passed the House in December and is currently pending in the Senate, with implications for states like Wisconsin.
The federal SPEED Act, a permitting bill heavily lobbied by the tech and AI industries, seeks to amend the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Although the bill's text does not explicitly mention "data centers," it is designed to streamline the federal permitting process for infrastructure projects such as gas plants, pipelines, and transmission lines.
These types of infrastructure are crucial for powering data centers, particularly those on private land that may not otherwise have a federal approval step. The legislation aims to accelerate the environmental impact study requirements mandated by NEPA before federal agencies can approve projects. The bill passed the House of Representatives in December and is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate. This ongoing series from Civic Media explores the potential impacts of the SPEED Act, specifically highlighting its implications for Wisconsin's energy and environmental landscape.