What does Preamble of Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 do?

This bill mandates a study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and related energy infrastructure. The bill requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish a consortium to address these environmental impacts. The EPA Administrator is tasked with creating a reporting system for the environmental impacts of AI.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026

What does FINDINGS. of Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings related to the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and related computing technologies. The text notes a rapid increase in computational power used for AI applications and a corresponding surge in data center energy demand. Energy consumption is significantly increasing due to AI model training and operation, despite efficiency gains. The growth of data center infrastructure can lead to air and water pollution, water scarcity, and land-use changes. Hyperscale facilities are projected to consume a substantial amount of water annually. Manufacturing hardware for AI and computing technologies has significant environmental consequences. Rising electricity prices, driven by data center demand, are impacting consumers. Electronic waste (e-waste) is expected to increase due to outdated AI hardware. AI applications can have both positive (e.g., energy efficiency optimization) and negative (e.g., rebound effects) environmental impacts. Certain communities, including low-income, Black and Brown, Indigenous, and rural communities, are disproportionately at risk from the negative effects of data center infrastructure. Options exist to mitigate negative environmental impacts, such as using more efficient models and hardware, and promoting transparency in energy use.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 do?

This section defines key terms used in the Act. Definitions include Administrator, artificial intelligence, artificial intelligence data center, artificial intelligence model, and artificial intelligence system.

What does STUDY ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY-RELATED IMPACTS OF ARTIFICIAL of Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 do?

This section mandates a comprehensive study on the environmental and energy-related impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and related infrastructure. The study, to be conducted within one year of enactment, will be led by the Administrator and involve collaboration with several federal agencies including the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The study must examine lifecycle impacts of AI, including energy and water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and effects on ecosystems. It will also analyze how design and location decisions for AI models and data centers affect these impacts. The study will consider disaster resilience implications, potential positive impacts of AI on environmental sustainability, and potential negative impacts such as increased fossil fuel activity. Public input, including comments and regional hearings, is required throughout the study process.

What does ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY-RELATED of Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 do?

The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall convene a consortium on AI environmental and energy impacts. The consortium aims to identify measurements, methodologies, and standards for AI's environmental and energy impacts. The consortium's goals include facilitating consistent reporting on AI's environmental impacts and developing tools to measure these impacts. The consortium will provide recommendations on mitigating negative environmental impacts of AI and deploying its positive use cases. The consortium will have equal representation from stakeholder groups, including Tribal communities and local governments.

What does SYSTEM FOR REPORTING OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY-RELATED of Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a system for reporting environmental and energy-related impacts of artificial intelligence data centers. Entities operating artificial intelligence data centers are defined as 'covered entities' and are required to submit annual reports to the Administrator. The Administrator, in consultation with other agencies and entities, will develop reporting requirements, including guidelines for calculating and reporting resource consumption related to energy and water use, pollution, electronic waste, and other impacts. The reporting requirements must allow the Administrator to verify accuracy and completeness and enable public disclosure. Before finalizing the requirements, the Administrator must solicit public comments. The Administrator will make the developed requirements publicly available. Reported information will be made available on a public website, except for information exempt under FOIA. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in corrective action and administrative penalties based on facility size and length of noncompliance. This section does not alter existing obligations of the Administrator to disclose information under other laws.

What does REPORT TO CONGRESS. of Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 do?

The Administrator, Secretary of Energy, and Director of NIST must submit a joint report to Congress. The report must detail findings of the consortium, information reported under section 6, and recommendations for legislative action. The report includes recommendations for artificial intelligence use-cases in environmental applications.

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Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026

Last updated: 6/8/2026 · Introduced: 6/8/2026

Author: Donald Beyer (D-VA)

TL;DR (AI)

The Environmental Protection Agency is required to conduct a comprehensive study on the environmental and energy-related impacts of artificial intelligence and related infrastructure.
A consortium will be established by the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to identify measurements, methodologies, and standards for AI's environmental and energy impacts.
The EPA Administrator will create a system for reporting environmental and energy-related impacts of artificial intelligence data centers, with covered entities submitting annual reports.
The study and consortium will examine the lifecycle impacts of AI, including energy and water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and effects on ecosystems, as well as potential positive and negative environmental impacts.
The bill aims to address the environmental impacts of AI, including air and water pollution, water scarcity, land-use changes, and electronic waste, with a focus on mitigating negative effects and promoting transparency in energy use.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4727(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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