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Ro Khanna unveils bill protecting communities from data centers

He said communities deserve the right to oppose data centers in their neighborhoods.

 Ro Khanna Ro Khanna / X

Rep. Ro Khanna has announced the introduction of the first-ever Data Center Bill of Rights, saying there should be no data centers in residential communities.

The proposed legislation aims to give local communities control over the construction and operation of massive data centers in their neighborhoods.

As demand for AI-driven computing power surges, residents across the country have expressed growing concern over the enormous energy demands, water use and potential rate hikes on local electricity bills associated with these facilities.

"Communities deserve the right to oppose data centers in their neighborhoods. State governments should not be allowed to expedite the process and force these hyperscale data centers on communities. We need to make sure data centers don't jack up electricity bills, and they shouldn't be taking water from local communities," he said, announcing the bill in a video posted on X.



Communities deserve the right to reject data centers, protect their water, keep electricity bills down and prevent states from shoving data centers down their throats.

"You can't have dozens of these data centers popping up across the states when communities oppose them. We need a Data Center Bill of Rights so communities and workers are not shafted for the profits of Big Tech," he said.

The legislation enters a heated debate between proponents of rapid tech expansion, who emphasize job creation and economic revenue, and local communities demanding safeguards against environmental strain and rising utility costs.

Discover more at New India Abroad.

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