IDCA Launches Data Center Community Assurance Program

Nov 2, 2026
The International Data Center Authority launched a program that assesses proposed data centers across environmental and economic measures. Projects receive a score from 0 to 100, while community feedback contributes to a separate trust score.

International Data Center Authority (IDCA) announced in a press release the launch of its Community Assurance Program, an independent assessment and certification process for proposed data centers. The program gives developers a framework for documenting project commitments and provides information that communities can use to evaluate proposals.

The program assesses energy, water, air quality, noise, land use, carbon emissions, employment, local taxes and community investment. Each project receives a Responsible Community Member Score from 0 to 100. A separate Community Trust Score changes over time based on reviews and feedback from host communities.

IDCA can assess projects with selected sites as well as developments still considering locations. The organization said at least 46 AI data center projects across 20 US states were blocked, withdrawn or delayed between January 2024 and May 2026 following community opposition. Those projects represented more than $170 billion in announced investment.

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