New Bernie Sanders AI Safety Bill Would Halt Data Center Construction

US Senator Bernie Sanders is introducing a bill to impose a national moratorium on AI data center construction until legislation safeguarding the public from AI dangers is enacted, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez planning a similar House bill. The bill, unlikely to pass given the Trump administration's pro-AI stance, defines AI data centers by physical parameters including energy load above 20 megawatts and would only lift the moratorium when laws address climate impact, electricity costs, worker displacement, and wealth sharing. The legislation reflects growing public opposition to data center expansion over concerns about energy costs, water use, and environmental impact.