July 30, 2026
Ms. Scholten (for herself and Mr. Subramanyam) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend title 10, United States Code, to incorporate requirements for data centers for the protection of water resources, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Defending Our Energy and Water Act
.
Sec. 2. Data center requirements for the protection of water resources
(a) Minimum requirements for new data centers
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government shall revise the minimum requirements for new data centers established pursuant to section 834(b) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. Buck
McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 44 U.S.C. 3601 note) to include requirements relating to protections for water resources at such data centers, including the use of the most water efficient cooling systems.
(2) Extension of sunset
Section 834(e) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. Buck
McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 44 U.S.C. 3601 note) is amended by striking 2026
and inserting 2031
.
(b) Energy efficiency targets for data centers
Section 2921(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (D), by striking and
at the end;
(2)
by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); and
(3)
by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
(E)
identify and integrate potential water efficiency technologies to enhance resiliency at the data center and minimize the effects of the data center operation on water resources; and