Heinrich blocks Husted’s bid on data-center power costs
The House passed the bill 417-3, but it only asks states to consider requiring large users to cover grid upgrades that might otherwise reach household bills.
Roll Call reported that Sen. Jon Husted’s bid to pass the Ratepayer Protection Act by unanimous consent stalled in the Senate on Sept. 17 after Sen. Martin Heinrich objected1.
The proposal would require state regulators to consider standards making large electricity users pay the incremental cost of infrastructure needed to serve them, a potential safeguard against those costs landing on household bills2. But the bill would not require states to adopt those standards, Roll Call reported1.
Heinrich said he objected because the Husted-backed bill relied on a voluntary framework, and argued his GRID Savings Act would require large users such as data centers to pay for grid facilities3.
“Congress needs to pass real legislation with real teeth,” Heinrich said4.
After Husted’s bill was blocked, Heinrich sought unanimous consent for his own measure, but Moreno objected4. Husted has argued that companies creating new electricity demand should pay the associated costs2.
The House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act 417-3 on September 16, according to Husted’s office2.
Husted said he would ask Senate colleagues to support the Ratepayer Protection Act2.
Sources
- Ratepayer bill aimed at data center buildout blocked in Senate
- Husted bill to protect Americans from footing the bill for new data centers blocked from passage
- Heinrich Offers His GRID Savings Act to Force AI Data Centers to Pay for Grid Upgrades, Highlights How Husted-Backed Bill Falls Short
- Senate Democrat blocks House-passed bill to shield Americans from data center energy costs, proposing alternate measure
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