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Week Ending July 14, 2006

H.R.5646 To study and promote the use of energy efficient computer servers in the United States.

The bill promises to look into the electric bills of computer data centers with the aim of reducing electricity costs and to reduce the rate of growth of electricity usage.

The Sense of Congress included in the bill said “It is the sense of Congress that it is in the best interest of the United States for purchasers of computer servers to give high priority to energy efficiency as a factor in determining best value and performance for purchases of computer servers.”

The EPA is directed to look into the growth and energy consumption of data centers including growth trends, industry usage of energy efficient microchips, potential cost savings, impact on the electrical grid and an overview of government incentives and voluntary programs to encourage energy efficiency in data centers and computing.

Sponsor: Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI-8^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote July 11, 2006. Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Cost to the taxpayers: “CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 in fiscal year 2007, assuming the availability of appropriated funds.”

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