Landsman data center oversight bill takes aim at rising energy costs

Congressman Greg Landsman of Cincinnati, Ohio, has introduced the "No Harm Data Centers Act" to address rising concerns about data center energy usage and its impact on electricity costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, data centers are projected to consume 12% of all electricity nationwide within the next couple of years. Landsman's proposal aims to mandate that large data centers cover the complete cost of their energy demands, including necessary infrastructure development. Additionally, the bill seeks to enhance transparency by rendering non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by public officials legally unenforceable. These NDAs have been used in various data center projects across Ohio, limiting public discussion and leaving residents feeling uninformed about developments. Opponents of the bill have expressed concerns about federal intervention, arguing it creates a "one size fits all" approach that may not suit individual states' needs or benefit their consumers and ratepayers.