The Pentagon wants to build data centers. Congress would like a word.
The Pentagon's plan to lease military land for private AI data centers is under bipartisan scrutiny from Congress. Lawmakers are concerned about the substantial energy and water consumption of these facilities and their impact on military readiness and local communities, proposing legislative amendments for greater oversight. Projects like those at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, are cited as examples prompting these concerns.
The Department of Defense (DOD) is facing bipartisan scrutiny from Congress over its strategy to lease military land to private companies for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Lawmakers, including Reps. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) and Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), are raising concerns about the immense energy and water consumption of these facilities and their potential strain on military installations and surrounding communities. Critics warn that these data centers could impact military readiness, base infrastructure, and local resources.
Several legislative proposals are advancing, primarily focusing on increased transparency, studies, and planning requirements to assess the environmental and community impacts of DOD data center projects. Rep. Garamendi proposed an amendment to the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act to require DOD to evaluate various impacts before finalizing deals. While the House Armed Services Republicans rejected Garamendi's amendment, other provisions, such as those requiring DOD to brief Congress on community impacts (from Rep. Calvert), have been adopted.
Specific projects under discussion include Carlyle Group's plan to build a data facility on Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, by 2027, and CyrusOne's project on Utah’s Dugway Proving Ground by 2029. These projects, touted by the Army as having "no upfront cost to taxpayers" and including "comprehensive behind-the-meter power and water solutions," are still drawing skepticism from lawmakers like Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.). Opponents of legislative oversight, including some congressional conservatives and DOD officials, argue that restrictions could hinder military innovation in the AI arms race.