Jeffrey Lewis authored an op-ed for Marine Log examining the legal and regulatory considerations surrounding ocean data centers (ODCs). In the article, Jeff explores how offshore and submerged data centers could address growing public opposition to land-based facilities while supporting increasing demand for digital infrastructure. He analyzes the various forms ODCs may take, including floating, fixed, and submerged structures, and discusses how their design and location could affect the application of U.S. maritime, environmental, and offshore energy laws. Jeff also examines potential regulatory oversight by the U.S. Coast Guard and under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as well as the implications of cabotage laws and other federal requirements for offshore operations.
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