Senator Heinrich blocks bipartisan data-center cost bill in Senate
Senator Martin Heinrich of Idaho halted the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act in the Senate on September 18, saying the measure relied on voluntary state pledges and did not compel data-center operators to fund grid upgrades. The bill had cleared the U. S. House of Representatives the day before, passing 417-3 on September 17, and would have required large electricity users such as AI data centers to cover the cost of new power-infrastructure.
House leaders including Rep. Gabe Evans and Rep. Kathy Castor co-sponsored the legislation, and Heinrich introduced an alternative bill aimed at broader consumer protection. The House approval followed a near-unanimous vote, reflecting bipartisan support for shifting infrastructure costs to the firms that generate the demand.
