NEW: Dingell Seeks Input on Federal Data Center “Bill of Rights”

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) announced she is drafting a federal data center "Bill of Rights" and is seeking input on a proposed framework to ensure communities have a meaningful voice in decisions surrounding large-scale data center projects.

"The rapid development of data centers has prompted concerns throughout Michigan's Sixth District and beyond as communities are left with important questions on the potential impacts of these large-scale projects," said Congresswoman Dingell.

• Large data centers pay for all infrastructure costs, including the cost of energy generation, transmission, and distribution, water, roads, and environmental impacts;
• Residential users of water, electricity, and gas are protected from paying any increased rates related to the development or operation of the data center for the entire operating period of the data center;
• Data center developers disclose and pay for the energy and water demand of their projects and the sources of those resources, and do not pass on utility costs to ratepayers;
• Projects undergo comprehensive environmental review addressing water, air quality, stormwater, wetlands, emissions, backup power, noise pollution, traffic, and more;
• Water use is independently monitored with public reporting and enforceable protections for drinking water, groundwater, rivers, and wetlands;
• Noise pollution is independently measured with enforceable limits;
• Strong labor standards are held throughout each phase of projects, including through prevailing wage requirements and the use of apprentices and local labor;
• Nearby schools and residential areas are protected from noise, pollution, rising utility cost, resource strain, and other disruptions;
• Emergency-response plans are developed with local officials;
• Government officials do not sign non-disclosure agreements preventing communities from understanding the data center projects being built in their communities;
• If projects are cancelled or cease to exist, the developer has the responsibility to discontinue and responsibly manage the wind down of the project without passing costs down to the community;
• Communities have opportunities for meaningful participation, with enforceable community-benefit agreements, for projects being built in their backyards; and
• The roles and responsibilities are clearly defined for all levels of government - federal, state, and local levels - so that the community knows who is accountable at each level and clearly understands the oversight, compliance, and enforcement measures needed to protect our communities, resources, and the environment.

Congresswoman Dingell continued: "There is a need for clear and enforceable federal guardrails to ensure communities have a meaningful voice in these decisions. That is why I am working to draft a federal data center 'Bill of Rights' that ensures communities have a seat at the table, their input is valued, and their voices are heard, and that a number of important factors are considered before these projects are allowed to move forward."

Comments on the proposed framework will be accepted through October 30, 2026, by emailing [email protected].

A copy of Congresswoman Dingell's announcement can be found HERE.