Senators Warren, Hawley Press Federal Agency to Reveal Data Center Power Use

A rare bipartisan push is escalating in Washington over how much power AI data centers are actually using and who pays for it.

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley are demanding federal regulators force companies to disclose their electricity consumption, arguing the lack of transparency could leave American households footing the bill. According to Wired, no federal agency currently requires data centers to report energy use, even as the AI boom drives rapid expansion.

That gap is raising alarms. Lawmakers warn electricity demand from massive server farms could push up utility costs, especially in states already seeing heavy development like Virginia and Georgia.

The Energy Information Administration has started a voluntary pilot program, but the senators say that’s not enough. They’re pushing for mandatory reporting, including hidden “behind-the-meter” energy sources.

The move comes alongside new bills targeting data center costs and power sourcing, signaling growing political pressure on Big Tech as AI infrastructure expands faster than oversight.

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