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Congressional Leaders Introduce AI Data Center Moratorium Act Amid Local Pushback

Congressional Leaders Introduce AI Data Center Moratorium Act Amid Local Pushback

Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jim McGovern, along with Senator Bernie Sanders, have co-sponsored the AI Data Center Moratorium Act (S.2414 and H.R. 9442) in Congress. This proposed legislation aims to establish a temporary prohibition on the construction of new data centers. The moratorium would remain in effect until Congress enacts comprehensive legislation to address the economic, environmental, and safety impacts associated with artificial intelligence. This federal initiative comes as numerous municipalities across Massachusetts, including Greenfield, Lowell, Mansfield, Holyoke, Westfield, Southbridge, Agawam, and Leominster, have already implemented or are considering their own moratoriums or bans on data center development due to concerns over energy consumption, water usage, and local control. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also issued an Executive Order for a one-year pause on data centers, citing similar concerns.

Washington Grapples with AI and Data Center Concerns Amidst Midterm Elections

Washington Grapples with AI and Data Center Concerns Amidst Midterm Elections

Washington is currently addressing growing concerns regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centers, as discussed by NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report. President Trump has expressed disinterest in increased AI regulation, while House Speaker Mike Johnson suggests tech companies should lead the way. This issue has created unusual alliances, with figures like Steve Bannon and Bernie Sanders finding common ground. Despite Congress being back in session, significant AI legislation is unlikely before the midterms. The debate extends to the impact of data centers on local communities, particularly concerning electricity costs. Voters are primarily focused on affordability, and candidates are leveraging data center issues in their campaigns, either promising regulation to lower electricity bills or blaming opponents for high costs due to data center approvals and tax breaks. The broader implications of AI, such as job displacement, are not yet central to midterm campaign discu...

President Trump's Data Center Push Divides Congress Amid Local Opposition

President Trump's Data Center Push Divides Congress Amid Local Opposition

President Trump's strong advocacy for data center development is creating a rift within Congress, as local communities express growing anger over the facilities' impact. While President Trump has doubled down on his support, warning that communities blocking data centers would 'end up being backwards and poor,' Democratic lawmakers are pushing for stricter regulations. Representative Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., called President Trump's stance 'out of touch' and urged a pause on data center expansion in Arizona to assess long-term impacts on water resources and utility bills. Representative Ro Khanna, D-Calif., proposed a 'Data Center Bill of Rights' to restrict their proximity to residential areas and empower local communities. Republican lawmakers are also divided, with some, like Representative Rich McCormick, R-Ga., highlighting potential economic benefits such as tax revenue and infrastructure improvements, while others, including Representative Ralph Norman, R-S.C., emphasize the importance of state and...

House takes 'small step' to shield Americans' energy bills from data centers

House takes 'small step' to shield Americans' energy bills from data centers

Lawmakers said the legislation would help prevent Americans' energy bills from spiking because of nearby data centers.

Representative Rich McCormick Praises Data Centers Amidst Congressional Divide on AI Infrastructure

Representative Rich McCormick Praises Data Centers Amidst Congressional Divide on AI Infrastructure

Representative Rich McCormick, a Republican from Georgia, has voiced strong support for the expansion of data centers, highlighting their potential benefits for local communities. According to McCormick, these facilities can significantly boost tax revenue, enhance local infrastructure, and contribute to energy production. He expressed that communities should actively seek to host data centers, suggesting they are missing out on economic opportunities if they decline. This stance comes amidst a broader congressional debate where lawmakers are divided on the rapid proliferation of data centers. While some Republicans, like McCormick, see them as crucial for economic growth and maintaining U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence (AI), many Democrats and some Republicans are calling for stricter regulations due to concerns over environmental impact, utility costs, and local control. President Trump has also advocated for data center development, warning that communities opposing them risk becoming 'backwar...

AP exclusive: Change in human trafficking reporting alarms advocates for migrant children

AP exclusive: Change in human trafficking reporting alarms advocates for migrant children

The Trump administration has ordered caregivers for migrant children to stop reporting human trafficking concerns directly to the office created to help victims

The Augusta Chronicle

Augusta sets data center standards after months of debate

Augusta sets data center standards after months of debate

Augusta commissioners approved new rules for data centers to address zoning, noise, and safety for residents.

Sanders and Bannon to call for AI limits, as public unease grows

Sanders and Bannon to call for AI limits, as public unease grows

By Courtney Rozen WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Progressive U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Trump ally Steve Bannon will together on Tuesday call for restrictions on AI systems, uniting two political adversaries around concerns that the technology will harm humans.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell Calls for Pause on University of Michigan's Ypsilanti Township Supercomputing Project

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell Calls for Pause on University of Michigan's Ypsilanti Township Supercomputing Project

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell has expressed strong opposition to the University of Michigan’s planned $1.25-billion high-performance computing facility in Ypsilanti Township, calling for a pause on the project. In a letter to township officials and the University of Michigan's president, Dingell cited a lack of transparency, unclear jurisdictional authority, and unanswered questions regarding the agreement with Los Alamos National Laboratory. Residents have also voiced significant opposition to the project, which they perceive as a data center, during a recent town hall meeting. Dingell emphasized the need for national guardrails for AI and data centers, advocating for enforceable protections, meaningful community input, and oversight on critical issues such as utility rates, water usage, noise pollution, and environmental impacts. She also urged Michigan to establish a data center 'bill of rights' and raised questions about the project's funding, legal authority, and the status of any federal agreement.

Rep. Jay Obernolte Co-Authors Bipartisan AI Legislation Amidst Capitol Hill Concerns

Rep. Jay Obernolte Co-Authors Bipartisan AI Legislation Amidst Capitol Hill Concerns

Rep. Jay Obernolte, a Republican from California, is actively involved in legislative efforts concerning artificial intelligence (AI) on Capitol Hill. He has co-authored the Frontier Act with Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., which aims to establish new safety and transparency rules for large AI companies. This bill is one of several AI-related legislative proposals introduced in Congress, though none have yet gained significant traction. Obernolte has also introduced the AI LABS Act, designed to provide federal grants for K-12 schools to create dedicated AI labs, fostering hands-on learning and educator understanding of AI. Additionally, he co-introduced the Liquid Cooling for AI Act, which focuses on assessing and advancing the use of liquid cooling technologies in U.S. data centers to enhance AI computing capabilities. These initiatives come amidst increasing concerns among lawmakers and tech experts regarding the rapid advancement and potential risks of AI.

Rep. Gabe Evans' Bipartisan Bill Aims to Protect Communities from Data Center Electric Grid Upgrade Costs

Rep. Gabe Evans' Bipartisan Bill Aims to Protect Communities from Data Center Electric Grid Upgrade Costs

Rep. Gabe Evans, representing Colorado’s 8th district, has introduced the bipartisan "Ratepayer Protection Act." This legislation seeks to prevent local communities from bearing the financial burden of electric grid upgrades necessitated by the construction of new data centers. The bill has successfully passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee with unanimous support, indicating broad agreement on its objectives. The core intent of the act is to mandate that large-load electricity consumers, such as data centers, provide financial assurances to cover the infrastructure improvements required to meet their substantial electricity demands. This measure is designed to ensure that the costs associated with expanding and upgrading the electrical grid are not passed on to existing ratepayers, but rather are borne by the entities driving the increased demand. The bill's progression through the committee stage suggests it is moving towards a full vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Representative Tom Cole Open to Raising Payroll Taxes and Income Cap for Social Security Solvency

Representative Tom Cole Open to Raising Payroll Taxes and Income Cap for Social Security Solvency

Representative Tom Cole, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has indicated a willingness to consider increasing both the payroll tax rate and the income cap subject to taxation to address the impending insolvency of Social Security. This stance reflects a growing sentiment among U.S. lawmakers, including influential Republicans, who are signaling openness to tax increases to bolster Social Security's finances. The program's trust fund is projected to face depletion sooner than anticipated, potentially leading to a 22% benefit cut by 2032 if no changes are implemented. Currently, employees and employers each contribute a 6.2% tax on wages up to $184,500 annually, with earnings above this threshold not subject to the tax. Representative Cole emphasized that the mathematical realities of Social Security are beginning to outweigh political considerations, warning that a program bankruptcy would create a significantly larger problem than proactively ensuring its solvency. Representative Lloyd K. Smu...