Maryland
Bipartisan Coalition Introduces No Secrets for Data Centers Act to Stop Secret Utility Deals
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Key points
- Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the No Secrets for Data Centers Act to ban government NDAs with tech developers.
- The bill voids existing secrecy agreements for large-scale projects drawing 50 megawatts of power or more.
- Developers who demand confidentiality will lose access to public subsidies, tax breaks, and government incentives.
NewsWK — Federal lawmakers want to pull back the curtain on massive technology projects. These facilities often strain local power grids and water supplies across American communities. On September 24, 2026, legislators introduced a new bill to ban secret negotiations between government officials and tech developers.
Why it matters
This legislation directly impacts how local governments negotiate with tech giants. Large data centers consume massive amounts of electricity and water. Consequently, these projects can drive up utility bills for local residents. By banning secret agreements, the bill ensures taxpayers know how these projects affect their infrastructure before construction begins.
How Will the HR 10570 Data Center NDA Ban Protect Local Communities?
The HR 10570 data center NDA ban stops government officials from signing non-disclosure agreements. These NDAs currently hide project details from the public. Consequently, communities will gain full visibility into these massive developments. The bill voids existing secrecy agreements for any project drawing 50 megawatts of power or more, ensuring immediate transparency.
Who is Behind the Data Center Transparency Legislation?
Representative Greg Landsman of Ohio introduced the bipartisan data center transparency legislation. Republican Tom Barrett of Michigan and Democrat Jamie Raskin of Maryland co-sponsored the bill. This coalition designed the bill to eliminate backroom deals. Therefore, public officials cannot hide the environmental and financial impacts of these facilities.
The bill contains several strict rules:
- It prohibits officials from signing confidentiality clauses.
- It blocks public subsidies for operators who demand secrecy.
- It protects standard trade secrets while forcing the disclosure of infrastructure impacts.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Sources
Related: Federal Lawmakers Target Data Center Secrecy with New 'No Data Center NDAs Act'
Related: New York Data Center Moratorium Announced to Address Grid and Cost Concerns
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