A bipartisan group of senators is demanding that the US Energy Information Administration collect comprehensive energy usage data from data centers nationwide. The push comes amid concerns that utilities are inflating demand forecasts by up to five times, leading to phantom growth projections. Senators Josh Hawley and Elizabeth Warren argue that without accurate data, policymakers are making decisions in the dark.

Data centers have been notoriously opaque about their energy consumption, with utilities often double-counting projects as companies shop around for the best deals. The EIA recently launched a voluntary pilot program in Texas, Washington, and Virginia, but senators want mandatory reporting to ensure transparency. This mirrors existing requirements for oil, gas, and manufacturing industries.

Big Tech companies that pledged at the White House not to pass data center costs to consumers need scrutiny, the senators argue. With state legislatures considering construction moratoriums and federal bills targeting data center development, comprehensive energy data has become crucial for informed policymaking.