WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced legislation to increase transparency and accountability around data center development, requiring companies to disclose critical information about their ownership, resource consumption, and potential impacts on surrounding communities and utility ratepayers.
The Data Center Oversight Act would require the Energy Information Administration (EIA) within the Department of Energy to collect and publicly report comprehensive information on both existing data centers and proposed developments, giving communities and policymakers greater insight into the rapidly expanding industry.
“Virginians deserve to know who is building data centers in their communities, how much energy and water these facilities consume, and whether the costs are being shifted onto them through higher utility bills,” said Vindman. “As data centers continue to expand across Virginia, the public needs clear, reliable information on how they impact local communities, infrastructure, and household costs. My legislation will shine a light on this rapidly growing industry, hold companies accountable, and give Virginians the information they need to make informed decisions about data center development.”
Under the legislation, data center operators would be required to disclose ownership information, energy and water usage, and costs associated with serving their facilities that may be passed on to utility ratepayers. Companies would also have to report whether facility owners have signed non-disclosure agreements with government officials, whether union labor was used in construction, and whether a facility is located within 1,000 feet of a school, national park, hospital, or home.
To ensure compliance, entities that fail to report, submit incomplete information, or provide misleading information could face penalties of up to $1 million per day.
Click here for bill text.
BACKGROUND
Vindman has been a champion for holding data centers and electric utilities accountable.
Just this month, he introduced the Make Data Centers Pay Act to protect hardworking Virginia families and small businesses from being forced to shoulder the rising electricity costs associated with the growing electricity demands of data centers.
In August 2026, he introduced the Smart Data Center Policy Act to prevent data center development near neighborhoods, schools, and parks.
Vindman also introduced the Home Energy Affordability Act to limit how often utilities can change residential utility rates and change prices for everyday Virginians, as well as the Utility Hikes Transparency Act, which would create the first comprehensive, machine-readable federal database of retail utility rate changes in the United States.
He has also fought against corruption in the energy sector by championing the Energy Utility Lobbying Ban Act, which would bar former government officials from lobbying on behalf of the companies they used to regulate.
What’s more, Vindman was the first member of Virginia’s congressional delegation to publicly oppose the proposed merger between NextEra and Dominion Energy, raising concerns about its potential impact on electricity rates and Virginia consumers.
Most recently, he delivered remarks at a Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) public hearing on the proposed merger, urging regulators to reject the proposal and put the interests of ratepayers ahead of corporate profits.
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