Federal data center law set to expire without a replacement

A key federal law establishing security, reliability, and sustainability standards for federal data centers is set to expire on September 30, 2026, with no replacement legislation currently proposed by Congress or the administration. This expiration could lead to federal agencies designing data centers without uniform security standards, according to a recent report by Tech Radar.

The Federal Data Center Enhancement Act of 2023, which currently governs federal facilities nationwide, mandates protections for uptime, power reliability, physical security, cybersecurity, and resilience against natural disasters. It also sets expectations for sustainable energy use. Without a renewal or new law, federal agencies will have significantly more discretion in designing and operating future data center projects. This occurs as the nation expands data center capacity for AI and computing demands, while facing growing public concern over environmental impacts like electricity and water consumption.

If no replacement framework is established before the September deadline, individual agencies will be responsible for setting their own standards for new data center projects.

Source: Tech Radar