Husted's Grid-Cost Bill Stalls After 417-3 House Vote as 70% Oppose New Data Centers
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 22
Husted's Grid-Cost Bill Stalls After 417-3 House Vote as 70% Oppose New Data Centers
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 22
Summary
Sen. Jon Husted’s bid to bar AI and tech companies from shifting power-grid upgrade costs onto taxpayers was blocked in the Senate last week, despite broad House approval.
A May Gallup poll found 70% of Americans do not want new AI data centers built in their communities, with worries centered on higher electricity and water bills.
Husted and other Republicans say those projects should be slowed or paused, but argue decisions should stay local rather than be imposed through a heavy federal regulatory regime.
Sen. Martin Heinrich, who blocked the measure, said Congress needs tougher legislation with “real teeth,” exposing a split between voter anger over data centers and GOP resistance to stronger federal control.
The issue is now spilling into key Senate races, with candidates such as Mike Rogers and leaders including John Thune backing moratoriums, disclosure rules or other light-touch limits as midterms approach.