Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren and Republican senator Josh Hawley have penned a joint letter urging the US’s central energy information agency to disclose comprehensive annual energy-use reports for data centres.

This requirement stems from growing concerns among voters about rising electricity costs, which may be linked to data centre operations. The senators argue that such transparency is crucial for accurate grid planning and preventing large corporations from escalating consumer bills.

Despite the boom in data centre construction, precise figures on energy consumption remain elusive due to proprietary business information and behind-the-meter power installations. Utilities, while privy to some data, often face challenges with accurately forecasting growth due to fluctuating demands across regions.

The Energy Information Administration has initiated a voluntary pilot program, collecting energy consumption from nearly 200 companies in Texas, Washington, and Virginia. However, the senators have questions about its mandatory nature and whether it will include behind-the-meter power data—a key factor for ensuring tech giants adhere to their pledges of not shifting costs onto consumers.

As debates over data centre development heat up with congressional bills and state-level moratoriums under consideration, this push for transparency aims to bring clarity to an opaque industry, illuminating its energy footprint on the grid.