Ocasio-Cortez Presses EPA Assistant Administrator Kramer on Jeopardizing Clean Water Access by Caving to Major Data Center Construction
Press Release
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) questioned Environmental Protection Agency’s Assistant Administrator for Water Jessica Kramer on the administration’s failure to maintain clean drinking water across the United States during a hearing in the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Two weeks ago, Representative Ocasio-Cortez visited North Georgia where Meta built a massive data center campus. Ten percent of the water used each day by the community goes to this Meta data center. The community is on track for a total water deficit by 2030.
Find Representative Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks as delivered below:
“Assistant Administrator Kramer, you are in charge of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water, correct?
Correct.
And in your written testimony, you communicated a value that I think we all appreciate, which is that a top priority for EPA is ensuring continued drinking water safety, right?
Correct.
And this is a bedrock foundational value of the EPA. And it's one of the big reasons why it exists. I, you know, and I also appreciate your commitment to clean water specifically.
In fact, you said it very well on a MAHA action call just last month, that quote, “when I turn the tap on and when every American turns the tap on, there should be confidence in what's in your drinking water.”
And I think that's a value that we all share. I wanted to ask you, while I have you here, if you've been receiving complaints or if you are aware of folks reaching out about data center construction impact on drinking water quality?
I am aware.
You're aware. And what are some of the things that you're seeing and hearing?
So one of I think the biggest concerns is related to water availability, which is why we recently relaunched the Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0 to focus on ensuring that whether it's data centers or-
Anything about water quality, though?
I'm not aware of that.
Okay. Are there any complaints? I mean, are you observing any negative impacts on data center construction on water quality for Americans?
I don't think anything like that's been raised to my attention.
Okay. I would like to do so.
A few weeks ago, while Congress was in recess, I visited Morgan County, Georgia, where Meta is building a massive data center campus. They are clear cutting forests and began heavy construction, including explosive blasting, and families in the area are starting to see not only their water pressure decrease, to your point about water availability, but their appliances have all stopped working because it is decimating their water quality.
They now rely on bottled water to drink and prepare meals, and nearby residents' water bills are expected to increase by 33%. In fact, I have a jar right here. This is the current drinking water in Morgan County, Georgia, right after a data center was constructed, the Meta data center was constructed.
The only difference between the clean water and this was that data center.
I have another one as well. So this wasn't just one well, these weren’t just one family’s situation. This is what the drinking water now looks like next to that data center. And I think both of us can agree that neither one of these things are drinkable.
These families now have to ship, in a rural area, have to ship water to their house in order to cook and bathe themselves. Now I'm curious if the EPA plans any investigations on how data centers are affecting water quality and availability. I understood what you said about the rule, but are there going to be any open investigations on this issue?
So as soon as I get back to the office, I will be looking into exactly what you've just talked about. Because anywhere, whether it is whether whatever type of construction it is, it is a priority to ensure that water quality standards established by EPA are being met. And so we'll be looking into that, certainly.
Thank you. I sincerely appreciate that, because I think this is of utmost importance, and we're seeing this happening across the country.
I'd also like to ask about the administration's push to build more data centers by fast tracking construction. Because the administration's been issuing Executive Orders to fast track data center construction, when we know that water quality is encountering major issues.
Are there any mandates for data centers to do water quality testing prior to construction?
Of, of, like coming from a public water supply, drinking water supply, sampling?
Wells, yeah.
I’m not aware of anything like that. However, it doesn't mean I'm just not aware of it. Might exist, but I’m not aware.
Yes, of course. You know, I think it's important that, you know, you as an agency official, we have to make sure we're doing these investigations.
Then us on a congressional level. I'd like to note that I think it's of utmost importance that we also launch congressional investigations into this matter as well, so that we can partner with the EPA and ensure that the drinking water for this country continues to be safe and accessible for the American people.
So thank you, Administrator.
Thank you. ”
In July 2025, the Administration published an Executive Order to accelerate federal permitting of data center infrastructure. On May 11th, 2026, Administrator Lee Zeldin proposed a rule to allow data center developers to engage in “pre-construction” activities before they receive their final environmental permits. The EPA claims this has “no impact to human health or the environment.”
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