To study and promote the use of energy efficient computer servers in the United States.
PL 109-431 (H.R.5646), enacted 12/20/2006

120 STAT. 2920
PUBLIC LAW 109–431—DEC. 20, 2006
Public Law 109–431
109th Congress
An Act
To study and promote the use of energy efficient computer servers in the United
States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. STUDY.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency,
through the Energy Star program, shall transmit to the Congress
the results of a study analyzing the rapid growth and energy
consumption of computer data centers by the Federal Government
and private enterprise. The study shall include—
(1) an overview of the growth trends associated with data
centers and the utilization of servers in the Federal Government
and private sector;
(2) analysis of the industry migration to the use of energy
efficient microchips and servers designed to provide energy
efficient computing and reduce the costs associated with con-
structing, operating, and maintaining large and medium scale
data centers;
(3) analysis of the potential cost savings to the Federal
Government, large institutional data center operators, private
enterprise, and consumers available through the adoption of
energy efficient data centers and servers;
(4) analysis of the potential cost savings and benefits to
the energy supply chain through the adoption of energy efficient
data centers and servers, including reduced demand, enhanced
capacity, and reduced strain on existing grid infrastructure,
and consideration of secondary benefits, including potential
impact of related advantages associated with substantial
domestic energy savings;
(5) analysis of the potential impacts of energy efficiency
on product performance, including computing functionality, reli-
ability, speed, and features, and overall cost;
(6) analysis of the potential cost savings and benefits to
the energy supply chain through the use of stationary fuel
cells for backup power and distributed generation;
(7) an overview of current government incentives offered
for energy efficient products and services and consideration
of similar incentives to encourage the adoption of energy effi-
cient data centers and servers;
(8) recommendations regarding potential incentives and
voluntary programs that could be used to advance the adoption
of energy efficient data centers and computing; and
Deadline.
Dec. 20, 2006
[H.R. 5646]
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120 STAT. 2921
PUBLIC LAW 109–431—DEC. 20, 2006
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5646:
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 109–538 (Comm. on Energy and Commerce).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
July 11, 12, considered and passed House.
Dec. 7, considered and passed Senate.
(9) a meaningful opportunity for interested stakeholders,
including affected industry stakeholders and energy efficiency
advocates, to provide comments, data, and other information
on the scope, contents, and conclusions of the study.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
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.
Approved December 20, 2006.
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