185 Organizations Urge Congress to Reject Permitting Bill They Say Would Accelerate AI Data Center Construction
A coalition of 185 community, labor, climate and environmental justice groups urged Congress to reject the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, arguing it would speed construction of hyperscale AI data centers and fossil-fuel infrastructure. The groups said the bill would weaken environmental reviews, limit state and Tribal authority, increase electricity and water burdens, and restrict communities’ ability to challenge projects.
A coalition led by the Center for Biological Diversity and other environmental, labor and community organizations is opposing federal permitting legislation that they say would accelerate the nationwide construction of hyperscale AI data centers and the gas-fired power infrastructure built to serve them. The groups argue the bill would weaken the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act, while limiting public participation and legal challenges to projects.
Speakers including Center for Biological Diversity climate and energy policy specialist Camden Weber, Food & Water Watch policy director Jim Walsh and Third Act co-founder Bill McKibben said the legislation could increase utility costs, water consumption and pollution in communities hosting data centers and related energy facilities. The organizations urged the U.S. Senate and congressional leaders to reject the measure and preserve state, Tribal and local oversight.