US GOVERNMENT TO MANDATE DATA CENTER POWER AUDITS

The EIA confirmed its intention to develop mandatory reporting requirements for data center energy use in a letter to two senators. The move comes as AI and cloud computing demand drive rapid growth in data center construction and power consumption. Data centers currently account for a significant portion of US electricity demand, and that consumption is projected to increase substantially. The mandatory assessment would provide government agencies with detailed information about energy usage patterns across the industry. The reporting requirement would help policymakers understand the sector's growing impact on the grid and energy infrastructure. It could also inform future decisions about data center placement, efficiency standards, and energy policy. No timeline for implementation has been announced. The proposal still requires formal regulatory approval before it becomes law.