What happened
On 24 September 2026, Reps. Tom Barrett (R-MI), Greg Landsman (D-OH) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) introduced the No Secrets for Data Centers Act to prohibit and invalidate non-disclosure agreements signed by federal, state, and local officials to conceal details of data center (including AI data center) projects, and to bar data center operators from receiving government incentives conditioned on confidentiality.
Why it matters
Follows the executive order declaring a national emergency over foreign-produced bulk-power equipment for AI/data-center demand (EO 14420) and the House's Ratepayer Protection Act; it targets the transparency gap around the explosive growth of AI data centers and their grid/water/rate impacts on communities.
Action needed
Data center developers and operators with government incentive agreements should review contracts for confidentiality clauses that a future law would void, and prepare for mandatory public disclosure of project details.