More than 15 politicians sign AI pact to regulate data centers and AI safety

The political backlash against AI data centers has officially graduated from local grumbling to federal legislation. The AI Data Center Moratorium Act, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, would freeze construction of new AI data centers until regulators can establish guardrails around safety, energy costs, worker protections, and environmental impact.

Independent Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn put it plainly: “We’ve got to get this right.” His state offers a useful case study in why politicians are suddenly paying attention. Data centers now account for roughly 11.5% of Nebraska’s total state energy use, a figure that has residents watching their utility bills climb while aquifer water gets siphoned away.

A growing political coalition

The resistance isn’t confined to Capitol Hill. Texas Governor Greg Abbott paused new data center approvals in his state amid mounting public opposition. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro imposed stricter permitting rules.

Polling data reinforces what these politicians are sensing on the ground. Approximately 61% of Americans now oppose the construction of new data centers in their communities.

Why the backlash, and why now

In Nebraska, the strain on the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest underground freshwater sources in the world, has become a flashpoint. Data centers require massive quantities of water for cooling systems. For agricultural communities that depend on the same aquifer to irrigate crops, the competition for resources feels existential rather than theoretical.

The AI Data Center Moratorium Act doesn’t propose a permanent ban. Instead, it calls for a construction pause while federal agencies develop comprehensive regulations covering environmental impact, energy consumption, water usage, and labor standards.

The global dimension

The C40 Cities initiative, a global network of mayors focused on climate action, organized a pact signed by approximately 40 mayors in mid-2026. The agreement establishes shared standards for where urban data centers can be built, how much energy they can consume, and what emissions thresholds they must meet.

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