U.S. Lets 2023 Federal Data Center Law Expire as AI Boom Fuels Local Backlash
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jun 15
U.S. Lets 2023 Federal Data Center Law Expire as AI Boom Fuels Local Backlash
3 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Jun 15
Summary
The Federal Data Center Enhancement Act is set to lapse at the end of September, with no clear White House or congressional plan to renew or replace standards for federal data centers.
The 2023 law requires agencies planning new facilities or major upgrades to assess energy efficiency and weigh water and power use, alongside cybersecurity and sustainability rules.
The move fits the Trump administration’s lighter-touch AI policy: officials last week paused public CAISI model-review reports, and a new executive order favors a voluntary 30-day pre-release framework for frontier models.
Public resistance is rising as AI data centers spread: a March Gallup survey found 7 in 10 Americans oppose such projects locally, including 48% strongly, amid worries over water, grids and neighborhood impacts.