The Protecting Communities from Data Center Impacts Act of 2026 directs the Environmental Protection Agency to commission the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study how data centers affect the environment and public health. The assessment will examine six major impact areas: noise pollution, air pollution, water consumption, water supply, carbon emissions, and waste including electronic waste. The National Academies must complete this study and deliver a report with findings and mitigation recommendations to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The legislation affects data center operators and communities near data centers, as the findings could inform future environmental regulations and policies. While the bill does not specify funding amounts in the provided text, it requires the EPA to enter into an agreement with the National Academies to conduct and deliver this assessment.
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