Larsen fights for guardrails on data centers

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), joined by 110 House Democrats, sent a letter to tech industry leaders last Friday, demanding that all data center construction adhere to strict guardrails. The letter emphasizes the need to protect consumers from potential electricity and water price hikes due to data center development.

The lawmakers underscored that data center projects and their supporting infrastructure must be built and operated responsibly, incorporating high-quality construction, good jobs, strong environmental stewardship, and robust community partnerships. They declared their opposition to new data center construction that fails to include strong labor standards, negotiate community benefits agreements with local leaders, and mitigate impacts on local air quality, drinking water, and utility costs for residents.

The letter highlighted concerns that data center development should strengthen, not strain, the nation's public infrastructure, including the power grid, roads, bridges, and schools. Developers are urged to invest responsibly in grid infrastructure, including new generation and upgrades, to prevent ratepayers from bearing the costs of data centers' energy demands.

Rep. Larsen also recently voted for the Ratepayers Protection Act, legislation aimed at shielding families from higher electricity bills caused by data centers. Additionally, he co-sponsors the Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act, which seeks to roll back tax breaks for large artificial intelligence data centers.