AWS says it no longer uses NDAs with government agencies on data center projects and adds a $1 billion community program
Amazon Web Services published a set of data center commitments on October 2, 2026. AWS says it no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with the government agencies it works with on projects, will use EPA Tier 4 backup generators at new sites, and will publish its energy and water use each year. It also announced Built Together, which it says adds more than $1 billion over five years for communities where it builds data centers. [Source 1] [Source 2]
Disclosed terms
- NDAs
- AWS says it no longer uses NDAs with government agencies on its projects [2]
- Backup generators
- EPA Tier 4 or equivalent at new sites [2]
- Reporting
- Annual publication of energy use, efficiency, water use, water efficiency and carbon-free share [2]
- Community program
- More than $1 billion over five years (Built Together), per AWS [1]
- Efficiency
- 2025 global PUE of 1.14, per AWS [2]
The disclosure and our analysis
Evidence dates
Evidence: Amazon post by AWS CEO Matt Garman and the companion Amazon Data Center Commitment page, both published October 2, 2026.
What AWS committed to
AWS calls the list its Amazon Data Center Commitment. These are company statements. Items relevant to infrastructure buyers and operators include: [Source 2]
Disclosure. AWS says it no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with the government agencies it works with on its projects. It says it will share plans as early as possible and hold community open houses.
Power cost. AWS says it works with utilities, regulators and grid operators so that the prices it pays cover both the energy and the infrastructure improvements its data centers may require.
Backup generation. AWS says new sites will use backup generators that meet EPA Tier 4 emissions standards, or the equivalent in other regions.
Reporting. AWS says it will publish its energy use, energy efficiency, water use, water efficiency and the share of energy from carbon-free sources each year.
Water and efficiency. AWS says it is committed to being water positive across its data centers by 2030 and was 75% of the way there as of 2025. It reports a 2025 global PUE of 1.14, which it compares with an industry average of 1.25.
Noise. AWS says it designs operations to at least meet local sound requirements at the site perimeter.
The $1 billion program
AWS says Built Together adds more than $1 billion over five years to its existing community spending, starting in the U.S. The company describes three parts: [Source 1]
Education and workforce. Free community college for residents of data center communities, plus 16 more Modular Training Centers on top of three operating and six under development. AWS says it aims to prepare up to 100,000 workers a year by the end of 2028.
Energy and water. Grants for efficiency upgrades at more than 300 schools and community buildings and over 30,000 homes over five years. AWS estimates savings of about $700 per household a year.
Community investment. Flexible annual funding directed with local organizations and officials.
The post also argues against what AWS calls myths about data center water use, power prices and generator emissions. It says more than 100 data center moratoriums are being considered across the country. Those are the company's figures and characterizations. [Source 1]
Buyer analysis
This is our analysis.
**Less secrecy can help site research.** If AWS no longer signs NDAs with government agencies, more of its project terms may appear in public records such as utility filings, tax agreements and permit packages. Buyers and operators studying a market can use those records to see where hyperscale load is headed and what it is being asked to pay.
**Expect these terms to spread.** Tier 4 generators, published water use and a pledge to cover grid costs are now public positions from one of the largest builders. Local officials may ask other developers, including colocation providers, to match them. Buyers should ask providers what generator tier and water reporting apply at their sites.
**Power cost pledges point to tariff terms.** The commitment to pay for grid upgrades aligns with large load tariffs and long minimum bill contracts now being approved by state regulators. Those costs can reach colocation pricing in the same markets.
**None of this is capacity.** The announcement names no new sites, MW figures or availability.
What remains unknown
The reviewed pages do not say when AWS stopped using government NDAs, whether existing NDAs are being released, which counties will receive Built Together funding first, how the $1 billion is split across programs, or when the first annual energy and water report will be published. The commitments are company statements; we did not find independent verification of the PUE or water figures.
Sources
- Amazon, post by AWS CEO Matt Garman · Published 2026-10-02
- Amazon, Amazon Data Center Commitment · Published 2026-10-02