House Approves Bipartisan Bill to Hold Corporate Tech Giants Accountable for Data Center Energy Upgrades
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In a rare show of unity, the U.S. House overwhelmingly passed the Ratepayers Protection Act, finally forcing wealthy technology and data-center corporations to pay for the infrastructure upgrades their profit-driven expansion demands, rather than shifting the burden onto working families.
On Wednesday, the House voted 417-3 to approve the Ratepayers Protection Act, a bipartisan measure that marks a significant step toward holding powerful tech and data-center corporations responsible for the immense energy demands they impose on communities. For too long, these corporations have reaped record profits while forcing ordinary people to subsidize the infrastructure needed for their sprawling data centers. The new legislation establishes a federal standard, empowering state utility regulators to ensure that the cost of power-generation, transmission, and other upgrades for new large facilities is paid by the operators themselves, not by everyday consumers.
The bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Gabe Evans (R-Colo.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), both of whom serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, signals a rare bipartisan acknowledgment of corporate responsibility. Evans stated, "Hardworking families should not have to subsidize the energy demands of data centers. America needs the infrastructure to lead the world in AI and outcompete China, but we cannot have that growth at the expense of hardworking families, farmers, seniors, and small businesses." While Evans frames the issue in terms of international competition, the real victory here is for the people who have long borne the brunt of unchecked corporate expansion.
Democratic members voiced justified skepticism about whether the bill goes far enough. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Tex.) highlighted the outrage in her community, saying, "Our communities are outraged that Congress isn’t doing enough on data centers. I will vote yes, but it is truly the bare minimum. These data centers are going into communities like mine that don’t want them." Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) echoed this sentiment, noting that the measure is "not enough in any way, shape or form," while Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) warned that the bill fails to address the broader dangers of AI, especially as the president continues to downplay these risks as a "hoax."
As the House concluded its final business before the November midterm elections, this vote represents a small but important victory against corporate exploitation. However, with the Senate yet to act, it remains to be seen whether the interests of working people will continue to be prioritized over those of powerful tech giants.