Lawmakers in the Vermont Senate are likely to pass a bill that would create regulations for large artificial intelligence data centers. Vermont has a few small data centers, but they do not consume a large amount of power.Senators have added to H.727, including the required use of batteries to supplement power. A separate bill would have placed a ban on large data centers in Vermont for a few years, but that legislation will not move this session.Sen. Anne Watson, D- Montpelier, said this is why regulations are needed. “I think it’s important that Vermont is prepared for the possibility of a data center wanting to locate in Vermont, and especially if we’re not going to contemplate a moratorium bill,” she said. Lawmakers think it’s unlikely that the state will see a large data center based on environmental protections and power availability. The regulation bill will officially pass the Senate next week. It will then be sent back to the House for review.
MONTPELIER, Vt. —
Lawmakers in the Vermont Senate are likely to pass a bill that would create regulations for large artificial intelligence data centers.
Vermont has a few small data centers, but they do not consume a large amount of power.
Senators have added to H.727, including the required use of batteries to supplement power.
A separate bill would have placed a ban on large data centers in Vermont for a few years, but that legislation will not move this session.
Sen. Anne Watson, D- Montpelier, said this is why regulations are needed.
“I think it’s important that Vermont is prepared for the possibility of a data center wanting to locate in Vermont, and especially if we’re not going to contemplate a moratorium bill,” she said.
Lawmakers think it’s unlikely that the state will see a large data center based on environmental protections and power availability.
The regulation bill will officially pass the Senate next week. It will then be sent back to the House for review.