Senate Bill Would Shift Data Center Power Costs Away from Ratepayers
A bill backed by Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted would require large electricity users like data centers to pay for the grid infrastructure they need. The Ratepayer Protection Act passed the House with broad support and could see Senate action this week. Husted said families, small businesses, and seniors should not bear costs created by large tech companies.
The Ratepayer Protection Act would direct states to weigh standards for regulators when large electricity users, including data centers, connect to grids. Under the proposal, those companies would cover generation, transmission, and related infrastructure for their facilities rather than passing those expenses to ordinary customers.
The House approved it with only three opposing votes. Senate action could come this week, though Sen. Martin Heinrich blocked a September 18 unanimous consent request, arguing the measure did not go far enough and seeking consideration of his own GRID Savings Act. Major tech firms signed Trump's related pledge in March.
If enacted, the measure could alter how data-center growth affects household and small-business electricity bills by assigning more infrastructure costs to large users. Communities hosting such facilities may see different negotiations over grid upgrades, while tech firms could face higher upfront expenses. The outcome may depend on how states implement standards and whether Senate negotiations produce a broader compromise. Consumers and local economies could benefit from clearer cost allocation, though energy markets and development timelines may shift in ways that are not yet certain.