This Virginia congressman is trying to chart a data center course for America
US Representative Suas Submanium, who serves Loudoun County, Virginia, is actively working to shape federal laws concerning the data center industry. He has sponsored three bills aimed at measuring electricity and water usage, defending infrastructure, and establishing data recovery standards. These bills are currently progressing through the House, with one having passed committee.
US Representative Suas Submanium, who represents Loudoun County and other parts of North Virginia, is actively engaged in shaping federal laws and regulations for the rapidly expanding data center industry. With over 70% of the world's internet traffic passing through "Data Center Alley" in Loudoun County, the federal government is playing catch-up, and Congressman Submanium is at the forefront of this effort.
Submanium's latest legislative initiative is the Data Infrastructure Energy Management and Standards Act. This bill mandates the government to establish a standardized method for measuring the electricity and water consumption of data centers, aiming to provide clearer insights into their efficiency. This is particularly relevant as Loudoun County faces moderate to severe drought conditions, and even small data centers use significant amounts of water daily. The Congressman emphasized in an interview with Dogwood the need for "full transparency to a community in terms of how a data center will impact them."
Additionally, Congressman Submanium sponsored two other significant bills. The Data Infrastructure Risk Reduction Act seeks to develop a federal strategy for defending data centers and their surrounding communities, drawing parallels to national security concerns highlighted by infrastructure attacks in conflicts like the Ukraine-Russia war. The National Defense Data Resilience Act, the third bill, aims to establish crucial data recovery standards to ensure the swift restoration of essential systems like water, electricity, and communications in the event of a cyberattack on American infrastructure.
All three bills are currently in progress within the House of Representatives. The Energy Measurement Bill has successfully passed through committee and awaits a full House vote, while the other two are still under committee review. Constituents are encouraged to contact their congressional representatives to share their thoughts on these important legislative efforts.