Key facts
- Republicans are investigating potential Chinese influence in opposition to data center development.
- The House Energy and Commerce Committee is considering measures to address data center energy demand.
- Legislation proposing a moratorium on new data center development has been announced by Sen. Sanders and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez.
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum suggested that some opposition to data centers is not organic and may be funded by foreign interests.
- Groups like Food & Water Watch deny claims of foreign influence, attributing opposition to local concerns like energy bills and water consumption.
Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are probing whether China is influencing opposition to new data center construction in the United States. The committee members, including Chairs Bob Latta and John Joyce, sent a letter questioning the origins of the opposition, suggesting it may be driven by foreign interests rather than local concerns. This move aligns with a broader Republican effort to link environmental activism to foreign actors, particularly China.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has previously stated that some opposition to data centers is not organic and may be fueled by "foreign-sourced dark money." He suggested that groups previously focused on climate change have shifted their attention to data center development. However, organizations like Food & Water Watch, which have been central to advocating for data center moratoriums, have dismissed these claims as "disingenuous attacks" from Big Tech. They assert that the opposition is grassroots and stems from tangible local issues such as increased energy bills, alarming water consumption, and pollution.
Meanwhile, data center developers have pushed back against accusations that they are solely responsible for rising electricity prices, promising to cover their own energy usage. The Energy and Commerce Committee is exploring various proposals to manage data center energy demand and protect consumers. Additionally, House appropriators have supported an amendment for the Department of Energy to identify and mitigate the impact of data centers on energy and water resources. Senators Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have also announced plans for federal legislation to impose a moratorium on new data center development, though this initiative is noted to have limited traction.
This investigation follows a February hearing by the House Ways and Means Committee focused on "Foreign Influence in American Non-Profits: Unmasking Threats From Beijing and Beyond," reflecting ongoing Republican scrutiny of foreign influence in domestic affairs.