U.S. House Passes 417-3 Data Center Cost Bill as AI Power Backlash Spreads

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 16

A 417-3 House vote sent the Ratepayer Protection Act to the Senate, marking the first data-center bill passed in the 119th Congress and one of lawmakers’ last actions before the Nov. 3 midterms.
The measure would require states to consider a federal standard under PURPA so data centers using 100 megawatts or more pay the full added cost of generation, transmission and distribution upgrades.
Developers would also have to provide financial assurances if projects are canceled or moved, aiming to keep local communities from absorbing stranded infrastructure costs.
The vote lands as data centers become a campaign issue in at least five races, with candidates in both parties backing local control and insisting AI facilities should not raise household electric bills.
The debate is especially sharp in Virginia—home to about 13% of global operating data-center capacity—though the bill’s prospects in the Senate remain uncertain.