H.R. 9939: No AI Data Centers on Federal Lands Act

This bill would ban the construction and operation of artificial intelligence data centers on federal land. It would also require any such facilities that are already on federal land, or are being built there, to stop operating or stop construction and then be removed.

What counts as an AI data center

The bill defines an AI data center broadly. It includes buildings, equipment, and other fixed infrastructure on one site or connected sites that are:

• used to develop or operate artificial intelligence models at scale; or
• large, high-power facilities with more than 20 megawatts of capacity and designed to either:
  • deliver 20 kilowatts or more to a single server rack, or
  • use liquid cooling systems, including systems that circulate liquid to hardware components or immerse hardware in liquid.

What infrastructure is covered

The ban would not apply only to the data center buildings themselves. It would also cover associated infrastructure built to serve them, including things like:

• transmission lines
• power substations
• natural gas plants and pipelines
• backup generators
• water pipelines and cooling systems

What federal lands are covered

The bill would apply to all land owned or managed by the U.S. government, including land under the Department of Defense. It would not apply to land held in trust by the U.S. for an Indian Tribe or tribal member.

What agencies would have to do

Within 30 days after the bill becomes law, any federal agency that operates, leases, or is building an AI data center on federal land would have to:

• stop operations or construction, and
• begin removing the facility and related infrastructure, or direct the lessee to do so.

Cleanup requirements

Removal would have to be done in line with federal environmental cleanup law, including requirements for remediation and restoration of the site. This means the land would need to be handled according to rules under the federal Superfund law and other applicable laws.

Relevant Companies

None found