Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders push bill to impose AI data center moratorium

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act on Capitol Hill. The proposed legislation seeks to implement a nationwide pause on new data center developments until comprehensive national safeguards are in place to protect workers, consumers, and the environment. Despite the bill's low likelihood of passage, its introduction underscores significant concerns among progressive lawmakers regarding the environmental and societal impacts of rapidly expanding data centers and artificial intelligence technologies. Communities nationwide have expressed opposition to data centers due to fears of rising electricity prices, increased pollution, and substantial water consumption. Sen. Sanders emphasized the need for public debate and democratic oversight to prevent a handful of 'Big Tech oligarchs' from unilaterally shaping the economy and democracy. Conversely, the White House and many lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, have rejected the idea of a moratorium. They argue that halting data center development could impede growth and innovation, potentially ceding leadership in AI to rival nations like China. The White House recently outlined a framework for Congress to address AI concerns without curbing sector growth, while President Donald Trump also sought assurances from major tech companies. In response to these concerns, companies such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, xAI, OpenAI, and Amazon have committed to building or acquiring new power generation sources for their data centers and covering infrastructure upgrade expenses. This comes as U.S. electricity consumption reached a record high in 2024, with AI-focused data centers consuming vast amounts of power, equivalent to 100,000 households.