Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez push bill to impose AI data center moratorium - AP News

Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have introduced legislation to impose a moratorium on new artificial intelligence data centers in the United States. The bill reflects growing concerns among progressive lawmakers about the enormous energy consumption and environmental impact of AI infrastructure expansion, particularly as tech companies race to build massive server farms to support generative AI systems. A data center moratorium would effectively pause new AI facility construction while policymakers assess the technology's broader effects on the power grid, climate, and water resources. The proposal faces significant headwinds from the tech industry and a Trump administration focused on deregulation, making passage unlikely in the current Congress. The move signals an emerging legislative push to impose guardrails on AI development, even as companies like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft accelerate infrastructure investments.