iStock image | The Chesapeake Bay Foundation
By David Sherfinski | The Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Maryland 2026 - New legislation introduced by Virginia Senator Mark Warner would require large data centers to publicly report their energy and water usage, emissions, and backup power generation. It would also provide incentives to data centers that operate more efficiently through the LEED certification process, the global standard for sustainable buildings.
This comes as plans for data centers are skyrocketing, especially in our region. Large facilities use massive amounts of water and energy, and many use backup diesel generators that create air pollution.
Across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, there is no consistent state or local requirement for data centers to publicly share how much energy and water they use. That’s a major problem. Without this information, leaders and the public can’t fully understand the risks posed by data centers and reduce threats to communities and the environment.
Sen. Warner introduced the bill under a new legislative framework rolled out today focused on artificial intelligence and data centers.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Senior Policy Director Keisha Sedlacek issued the following statement:
“Our region faces unprecedented challenges from the data center boom, in part due to the lack of transparency around how much energy and water these facilities use. Communities desperately need this information to understand, plan for, and reduce the risks data centers pose to clean air and healthy waterways. We’re thankful for Senator Warner’s leadership in righting this wrong.”
“This bill would require reporting on energy and water usage and incentivize more efficient data centers through LEED Certification. We urge Congress to act quickly to pass these commonsense protections in the face of growing risks from data center growth.”
