Energy Department would help communities assess proposed data centers

The Energy Department would provide information, resources, and technical help when a covered government asks. The program would cover possible effects on energy, water, infrastructure, local economies, and communities from data center development. The department would have to start the program within 180 days after enactment.

The Energy Department would publish a public, plain-English data center toolkit. The toolkit would be written specifically for nontechnical local officials. It would explain key technical and cost issues, offer examples from other communities and cooling systems, and guide officials through possible benefits and tradeoffs. The department would have to publish the toolkit within 180 days after enactment.

The Energy Department could independently assess materials about a proposed data center. This review would be available at a state, local, or Tribal government's request. Developers could choose whether to provide materials. The department would state key limits and uncertainties, could not recommend approval or rejection, and would have no role in the siting decision. The department would have to make every reasonable effort to match its analysis to the requesting government's project review timeline.