Pentagon AI Data Center Leasing Sparks Congressional Debate

The U.S. Department of Defense is planning to lease military land to private firms for the construction of artificial‑intelligence‑driven data centers. Lawmakers from both parties have introduced measures to scrutinize the projects, citing concerns over the large energy and water demands of the facilities. Rep. John Garamendi (D‑CA) proposed an amendment to the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act to require detailed impact analyses before construction, while Rep. Ken Calvert (R‑CA) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D‑MI) have offered competing bills that either demand comprehensive assessments or seek to ban AI data centers on federal property. One site under review, Fort Bliss in Texas, could consume more power than the entire city of El Paso, prompting the Energy and Water Committee to call for mitigation plans to protect local infrastructure and resident wellbeing.