# Tech Companies Shape Data Center Framework

Major technology companies and environmental organizations are developing a voluntary, evolving national framework for data center development. The effort is organized around water, transparency and participation, energy, and economic development; it does not identify a solicitation, contract award, funding amount, or formal procurement opportunity. For contractors supporting data center projects, the framework’s development may affect planning for community engagement, energy and water use, and future permitting.

- Companies pursuing data center design, construction, operations, or supporting services can assess how the framework’s four focus areas relate to their project planning and stakeholder engagement.
- The framework is voluntary, not a stated procurement requirement. Organizations should avoid treating it as a mandatory compliance standard based on the available information.
- Contractors can follow the framework’s development and evaluate potential implications for energy and water planning and local permitting; no specific procurement action or deadline is identified.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology, Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 03, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Congress (Congress)
- Trump administration

### Vendors
- Microsoft ()
- Amazon ()
- Meta ()
- Google ()
- Nvidia ()

### Key Quotes
> We have participated in the early stages of this collaborative to be in conversation with a broad set of stakeholders to uplift our calls for clear guardrails on AI data centers that will protect communities and ratepayers, stop the massive buildout of gas power plants to serve data center demand, prevent air and water pollution, and ensure that a community’s ability to speak for itself is never diminished.
> — Holly Bender, Chief Program Officer, Sierra Club

### Sources
- [Big Tech and eco-groups work toward data center pact](https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/6194368-big-tech-environmental-groups-ai-data-center-framework) - The Hill