Study on environmental and energy-related impacts of artificial intelligence

(a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in collaboration with the Secretary of Energy, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, shall carry out, submit to Congress, and make publicly available a report describing the results of, a comprehensive study on the environmental and energy-related impacts of artificial intelligence and related infrastructure. (b) Requirements The study required under subsection (a) shall include an examination of the following issues and a forecast for how those issues are expected to change during the 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods beginning on the date on which the study is completed: (1) Full lifecycle impacts of artificial intelligence The energy and water use, effects on air and water quality, effects on local ecosystems, local noise and light impacts, energy cost impacts, and the direct, indirect, and value chain greenhouse gas emissions associated with the full lifecycle of artificial intelligence, including effects and impacts associated with— (A) hardware needed for artificial intelligence, including the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, electronic waste, and transportation between all stages associated with that hardware; (B) the design, development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence models; and (C) the operation of artificial intelligence data centers to power artificial intelligence, including effects relating to— (i) energy infrastructure, including new or existing grid infrastructure, behind-the-meter primary onsite power sources, and backup onsite power sources; (ii) water use, high-temperature water discharge, and the use of chemical biocides; (iii) land use for artificial intelligence data centers and related energy infrastructure, particularly with respect to scenic, historical, and cultural landscapes and units of the National Park System or locations included on the National Register of Historic Places; and (iv) cooling systems and other infrastructure. (2) Design and location The effect that design and deployment decisions for artificial intelligence models and associated artificial intelligence data centers have on the impacts described in paragraph (1), including design and deployment decisions with respect to— (A) the artificial intelligence model to be used; (B) hardware; (C) location; (D) energy mix; (E) behind-the-meter generation; (F) the use of power purchase agreements; (G) demand flexibility; (H) cooling system methodology; and (I) artificial intelligence data center user ownership and leasing arrangements. (3) Disaster resilience The impacts of artificial intelligence data centers on disaster resilience, including with respect to local water and energy stress during extreme weather events. (4) Positive impacts The potential positive environmental and energy-related impacts associated with applications of artificial intelligence, which may include optimizing systems for energy efficiency, developing renewable energy, advancing planetary systems research, enabling discovery of new materials, and automatically monitoring environmental changes. (5) Negative impacts The negative environmental and energy-related impacts associated with applications of artificial intelligence and related infrastructure, which may include direct impacts from data center construction and operation, higher local energy costs, rebound effects, behavioral impacts, and accelerating high-pollution activities, such as fossil fuel extraction. (6) Updated study results The results of the updated data center study carried out under section 453(e)(2) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17112(e)(2)). (7) Other environmental and energy-related impacts Other environmental and energy-related impacts, as determined by the Administrator, in consultation with the heads of Federal agencies described in subsection (a). (c) Public input (1) Public comment required In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall solicit and consider public comments. (2) Public hearings Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall convene public hearings with respect to the environmental and energy-related impacts of artificial intelligence and related infrastructure in each region of the Environmental Protection Agency to capture unique regional considerations.