Virginia Rep. Suhas Subramanyam introduces package of legislation tackling data centers nationally
Virginia Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has introduced a package of national legislation aimed at regulating data center development to protect communities and manage energy costs. The proposed bills address responsible siting, require data centers to pay for full grid upgrades, and mandate technical standards for water and energy usage. Congressman Subramanyam, who represents Virginia's 10th Congressional District, also voiced support for a statewide data center moratorium in Virginia.
Virginia Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has introduced a comprehensive package of legislation in Congress, advocating for a national strategy to manage data center development. His goal is to provide clear direction for the industry while simultaneously safeguarding communities and controlling energy costs, particularly in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Rep. Subramanyam, who lives in Ashburn, the heart of "Data Center Alley," highlighted the significant impact of the over 300 data centers in his 10th Congressional District on local residents, citing concerns over energy consumption and infrastructure development near homes and schools.
The legislative package includes the Responsible Data Center Siting Act, which would direct the Secretary of Energy to establish guidelines for data center placement, factoring in energy availability and impacts on utility, water, and electricity use. The Data Center Fair Share Act proposes that data centers bear the full cost of necessary grid and generation upgrades to support their substantial energy demands, aiming to prevent rising utility bills for Northern Virginia residents. Additionally, another bill calls for the development of technical standards to accurately measure data centers' water and energy consumption, and the Data Infrastructure Risk Reduction Act seeks a strategy to protect communities surrounding data infrastructure from external threats.
Subramanyam argues that a national, unified approach is essential to move beyond the current "piecemeal" and "ad hoc" industry practices, drawing parallels to the national development of power and internet infrastructure. He announced these bills at a press conference outside Discovery Elementary School in Ashburn, noting the ongoing community distress, including a petition to disband the neighborhood due to data center expansion.
Addressing calls for a statewide moratorium in Virginia, Congressman Subramanyam expressed his support, stating that the current concentration of data centers in one area is unsustainable, leading to skyrocketing energy costs and negative community impacts. He believes that a moratorium would be a sensible measure given the unbuilt data centers still planned for the region.