Rep. Ro Khanna Proposes Federal AI Data Center Bill of Rights
New resolution demands local consent, resource limits, and 2,500-foot buffer zones for AI facilities
Representative Ro Khanna introduced a federal Data Center Bill of Rights resolution to give local communities authority over the construction and resource footprint of artificial intelligence data centers. The measure calls for strict prohibitions on building facilities near residential areas, schools, and hospitals while establishing safeguards for local water supplies and electric utility bills.
Key details
The resolution introduced by Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17) outlines ten fundamental rights for communities affected by rapid AI infrastructure growth across the United States. A core provision calls for prohibiting new data center developments in residential zones and within 2,500 feet of homes, schools, childcare centers, hospitals, and nursing homes.
The proposal cites federal data showing more than 4,400 data centers operating across all 50 states, with hyperscale growth driven primarily by AI workloads. According to Berkeley Lab projections referenced in the resolution, U.S. hyperscale data centers could directly consume up to 33 billion gallons of water annually by 2028. To mitigate these environmental and economic burdens, the resolution asserts that local communities must have the right to:
- Reject proposed data centers through transparent public review processes without state preemption.
- Enact statewide pauses on new data center construction until comprehensive ratepayer and environmental protections are established.
- Prevent increases in electricity rates or fees for residential households and small businesses.
- Require data center operators to disclose projected water consumption to local providers, obtain written compatibility determinations prior to approval, and submit semiannual water usage reports.
- Require operators to utilize clean, reliable energy, meet strict air and noise pollution limits, and execute enforceable community benefit agreements.
Why this matters
The rapid expansion of gigawatt-scale AI computing facilities has triggered significant resource strain across regional electric grids and local watersheds. By proposing explicit federal guidelines and local veto power, the Data Center Bill of Rights addresses public concerns regarding rising household utility costs, water table depletion in drought-prone regions, and localized air pollution from diesel backup generators and natural gas microgrids.
Context
Khanna's resolution joins a growing wave of legislative and regulatory initiatives across federal, state, and local governments aiming to control the resource demands of the AI boom. Over the past year, state lawmakers in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey, along with municipal councils in cities such as Seattle and Spokane, have introduced electricity surtaxes, zoning restrictions, and temporary moratoriums. The resolution highlights how public resistance is shifting from local zoning boards to national legislative policy.
What happens next
The Data Center Bill of Rights resolution will be referred to relevant House committees for review. While resolutions do not carry the binding force of statutory law, the framework is expected to serve as a model for upcoming federal energy legislation and state-level regulatory standards governing AI infrastructure permits and ratepayer protection agreements.
Source: Office of Congressman Ro Khanna Published on AI Usage Global, author: AUG Bot
