Impact Type: Environmental Justice

Data Center Community Support and Compliance Act (HB2888, PA)

Requires large data centers to submit energy, water and sustainability plans to Department of Environmental Protection; regional benefits, and noise and vibration mitigation plans, and prior to operations or expansion, a community benefit plan and agreement, to be submitted to Department of Community and Economic Development (plan highlights below). Certification of compliance from both depts…

Community & Social Impacts, Economic Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Environmental Justice, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts, Public Health Impacts
An Act concerning data center permit applications with the Department of Environmental Protection and amending P.L.2020, c.92. (S4657 / A5622, NJ)

Requires Department of Environmental Protection to only review applications for permits for new data centers until they have received an environmental justice impact statement that assesses potential environmental and public health stressors from the project and already borne by the local community and the developers have held a public hearing. The Department is authorized to…

Environmental Justice
Data Center Transparency Act of 2026 (S.5640, US)

Directs EPA to report quarterly on the impacts of data centers on air quality and water quality, availability and cost; on greenhouse gas emissions and their impacts on overburdened communities, electricity and water consumption; data center growth and impacts on residential energy costs. Report to be made public.

Economic Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Environmental Justice, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts
Lessons Learned for Data Center Regulation: A Conversation with Minnesota Advocates

Growing demand for data centers poses threats to energy affordability, grid reliability, and environmental quality. Minnesota has enacted HF 16 to regulate these impacts, eliminating tax exemptions and requiring clean energy standards. Key lessons for other states include establishing proactive regulations, mobilizing public sentiment against corporate influence, leveraging existing policy momentum, and ensuring enforceable standards…

Community & Social Impacts, Economic Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Environmental Justice, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts, Public Health Impacts
NAACP Stop Dirty Data How to Negotiate on CBAs and CAB template – Final.pdf

This document is a negotiation guide and template for communities facing proposed data centers. Covers forming a Community Advisory Board, securing cost-recovery agreements for legal and technical support, structuring enforceable Community Benefits Agreements and sequencing stages so non-opposition depends on completed commitments. Includes a CAB charter template.

Community & Social Impacts, Environmental Justice
Experts Identify Best Practices for Negotiating and Drafting Community Benefits Agreements – Climate Law Blog

The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia identifies 35 recommendations for negotiating and drafting Community Benefits Agreements, drawn from interviews with lawyers who have negotiated dozens of CBAs across the United States. Covers best practices for developers, host communities and key contract terms, with a companion database of 50 example agreements from climate…

Community & Social Impacts, Environmental Justice
Researchers Are Hunting America for Hidden Datacenters

Environmental Justice, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts
Community Benefits Agreements- ReImagine Appalachia: -Economic, Community and Responsible Development Principles by ReImagine Appalachia

ReImagine Appalachia explains Community Benefits, showing how communities can push big projects to give something back to communities. • Explanations of Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) and how they work • Guides and toolkits for communities and advocates • Policy examples and model language • Case studies showing community benefits in action • Resources connecting economic…

Community & Social Impacts, Economic Impacts, Environmental Justice, Human Rights & Labor Exploitation
Data Center Power Play | Union of Concerned Scientists

The U.S. electricity sector faces a surge in demand due to the growth of AI-driven data centers, with projections suggesting their electricity use could rise significantly. Current reliance on fossil fuels for power generation poses risks to climate goals and public health. Transitioning to clean energy sources like wind and solar, combined with battery storage,…

Community & Social Impacts, Economic Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Environmental Justice, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts, Public Health Impacts
Data Center Organizing Toolkit

This document is a step-by-step organizing toolkit for communities confronting data center proposals. Covers outreach strategies with printable talking points and one-pagers, curated local news clips and videos, and documented stories of community victories. Includes direct contact information for organizing support.

Community & Social Impacts, Environmental Justice