House votes 417 to 3 on bill to keep data-center grid costs off household bills
The U.S. House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act on September 16 by 417 votes to 3, according to sponsor Gabe Evans. The bill addresses the cost of grid equipment needed for large data centers.
Verified 6:43 AM PDT · 2 original sources
Representative Rick Larsen says the bill would require state regulators to consider making data centers pay their full grid-connection costs. Evans says states without data-center standards would hold hearings and make their own decisions. The bill has passed the House. It is not law.
The bill would ask regulators to consider making data centers pay their full grid-connection costs. It would not impose a charge by itself. The House vote does not tell households how much of those costs a utility might pass on. State decisions and the final law, if passed, would decide that.
Household bills also cover costs beyond new grid connections. This bill alone cannot promise a specific drop in electricity prices.
The Senate still has to act, and the final text could change. If the bill becomes law, state hearings and utility rate filings will show who pays for new equipment. An actual cost allocation will tell households more than another pledge to protect them.
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- Representative Gabe EvansBipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act passes the House ↗
- Representative Rick LarsenLarsen votes to protect families from data centers raising costs ↗
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