Archive — US — techcrunch
Feds will require data centers to show their power bills
The Energy Information Agency (EIA) will require U.S. data centers to disclose their energy use details, following a request from Senators Josh Hawley and Elizabeth Warren. This mandatory nationwide survey aims to address the growing energy consumption of data centers, and a pilot survey is already underway in select locations, with a more comprehensive survey expected to follow.
Key points
- The EIA announced plans to require data centers to disclose energy use.
- This decision follows a letter from Senators Hawley and Warren urging data collection.
- The objective is to gather data on the increasing energy consumption of data centers.
- A pilot survey involving 196 companies has been conducted in Texas, Washington state, and the D.C. area.
- EIA chief Tristan Abbey anticipates completing pilot surveys by September to inform the nationwide survey.
Why it matters
- This action aligns with global trends towards increased transparency in energy consumption amid climate concerns.
- The rise in IT infrastructure and reliance on data centers has fueled debates on sustainability.
- Government regulation of energy use in tech aligns with 2025 trends focusing on sustainable IT practices.
The EIA's new mandatory survey reflects growing regulatory interest in data center energy consumption, highlighting the need for accountability as the industry expands amidst sustainability concerns.