House approves bipartisan bill to prevent consumer costs from new data center energy upgrades

The House voted 417-3 on Wednesday to approve the Ratepayers Protection Act, a bipartisan measure that would require technology and data-center companies to fund power-generation, transmission and other infrastructure upgrades needed for new large facilities. The legislation creates a federal standard for state utility regulators to use when setting rules for high-power data centers, shifting the financial burden from consumers to the operators.

The bill was co-sponsored by Representatives Gabe Evans, R-Colo., and Kathy Castor, D-Fla., both members of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Evans said, "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."

Democratic members expressed mixed views. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Tex., said, "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., added that the measure is "not enough in any way, shape or form," while Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., warned that the bill does not address broader AI safety concerns, noting the president’s stance that AI risks are a "hoax."

The vote came as the House wrapped up its final business before the November midterm elections. The Senate has not yet acted on the proposal, and it remains uncertain whether the measure will advance further.