For Immediate Release: Rep. Burchett Introduces Bill to Give Municipalities Control Over Data Centers

Washington, D.C. (11/10/2026): Today, Rep. Burchett introduced the Community Control of Data Centers Act. This legislation prevents federal funds from going towards the construction or operation of data centers before obtaining state and local approval. The recent boom in AI has made data centers a central component of infrastructure that may have major economic implications. Despite potential benefits, it is important that the decision to build them should be made by the Americans who live in those towns, not Washington bureaucrats and Big Tech CEOs.

“As the former Mayor of Knox County, I know how important local control is over projects that could have adverse effects on the municipality where they’re located,” said Rep. Tim Burchett. “This bill allows local governments to retake control over new data center construction, putting the power back in the hands of the folks who are most affected. People are sick and tired of federal overreach that harms their communities, businesses, and the places they call home.”