Defending Our Energy and Water Act

Hillary J. Scholten

Democrat · MI · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10)Original· 2026-07-30

Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2026-07-30

Source: Congress.gov

The proposal would require the military to follow new environmental rules when building and operating data centers, particularly to protect water resources from being depleted or contaminated. This affects military operations and defense contractors who build these facilities, as they would need to meet stricter standards for water usage and conservation. The bill is currently being reviewed by two House committees to determine which parts each should handle.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 10004 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10004 To amend title 10, United States Code, to incorporate requirements for data centers for the protection of water resources, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 30, 2026 Ms. Scholten (for herself and Mr. Subramanyam) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to incorporate requirements for data centers for the protection of water resources, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Defending Our Energy and Water Act''. SEC. 2. DATA CENTER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES. (a) Minimum Requirements for New Data Centers.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government shall revise the minimum requirements for new data centers established pursuant to section 834(b) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 44 U.S.C. 3601 note) to include requirements relating to protections for water resources at such data centers, including the use of the most water efficient cooling systems. (2) Extension of sunset.--Section 834(e) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 44 U.S.C. 3601 note) is amended by striking ``2026'' and inserting ``2031''. (b) Energy Efficiency Targets for Data Centers.--Section 2921(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end; (2) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: ``(E) identify and integrate potential water efficiency technologies to enhance resiliency at the data center and minimize the effects of the data center operation on water resources; and''. <all>

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