Model laws proposed to manage data center energy and environmental impacts

The Model Climate Laws Initiative (MCLI), a collaboration between Environmental Advocates NY and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, has released a legislative package to address the rapid expansion of data centers. The package includes model state and local laws designed to help governments manage the unprecedented demands these facilities place on electricity grids, water resources, and land usage.

In Texas, local officials are advocating for greater regulatory control over data center development. During the Fort Worth Report 2026 Growth Summit, Tarrant County Commissioner Matt Krause and Fort Worth City Council member Elizabeth Beck emphasized the importance of local government authority. Krause noted that while state-level oversight is expected, local officials should retain the ability to regulate how facilities function within their communities. Beck further suggested that business incentives for data center developers should be reconsidered to protect municipal interests.