ITI Issues Industry Commitments for Responsible Data Center Growth
WASHINGTON – Global tech trade association ITI today issued new industry-led commitments (opens in a new tab) for the development of new data centers. The roadmap details how industry is working with communities as it builds the computing capacity essential to economic growth and national security.
Data centers power services Americans use every day, from hospitals and banks to schools and emergency services. As data centers deliver more essential services and demand grows, communities and policymakers are asking important questions about electricity costs, reliability, water use, and local benefits. ITI’s new roadmap addresses those questions and details what responsible, community-centered growth looks like from the industry’s perspective.
“America does not have to choose between expanding its digital infrastructure and supporting communities. With strong partnership between industry and communities, we can do both,” said ITI Executive Vice President of Public Sector Gordon Bitko. “Responsible data center growth requires the technology industry, policymakers, utilities, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to protect ratepayers, modernize the grid, strengthen energy reliability, and ensure communities benefit from investments. ITI’s roadmap puts communities at the center of data center development.”
In Responsible Growth: A Roadmap for Development of New Data Centers (opens in a new tab), the technology industry commits to:
- Work with communities early and support benefits that reflect local needs;
- Help to upgrade America’s energy infrastructure while protecting affordability for existing consumers;
- Use water and energy responsibly and promote environmental stewardship;
- Improve reliability, resilience, and security of data center facilities and the broader grid; and
- Provide meaningful transparency through appropriate reporting.
The roadmap also calls on policymakers to advance each of these principles through flexible, evidence-based policies that reflect local conditions rather than one-size-fits-all mandates. Clear and predictable rules can address public priorities, encourage long-term investment, and strengthen America’s economic competitiveness and national security.