August 3, 2026
Mr. Vindman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, 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 direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study on the impact of locating data center sites within or near military installations, rail hubs, airports, air cargo facilities, air traffic control facilities, and industrial zones, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Smart Data Center Policy Act
.
Sec. 2. Study on impact of locating data center sites within or near covered locations
(a) In general
The Secretary of Commerce shall conduct a study on the impact of locating data center sites within or near a covered location on affected industries.
(b) Contents
The study under subsection (a) shall—
(1)
assess the costs associated with constructing new data centers within or near covered locations;
(2)
assess the impact of locating data center sites in affected covered locations on the energy grid, environment, and water system;
(3)
identify covered locations that have the physical, water infrastructure, and energy grid capacity necessary to host new data centers; and
(4)
identify potential Federal Government incentives to encourage the location of data centers sites within or near covered locations.
(c) Report
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, a report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a).
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Covered location
The term covered location means a domestic military installation, rail hub, airport, air cargo facility, air traffic control facility, or industrial zone.
(2) Domestic military installation
The term domestic military installation means a military installation (as defined in section 2801 of title 10, United States Code) located in the United States.
(3) Industrial zone
The term industrial zone means an area that is designated or zoned for industrial activities.