"The latest Ratepayer Protection Act would apply more specifically to data centers."
"The House Energy and Commerce Committee has narrowed the scope of its data center energy legislation to focus specifically on the sprawling facilities generating nationwide concern.
The Ratepayer Protection Act — H.R. 9340, sponsored by Reps. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) — would require states to consider adopting a federal standard directing data centers to pay the full cost of new generation and transmission upgrades needed to serve them.
Ahead of a markup that began Monday and will stretch into Tuesday, committee leaders released a substitute amendment that narrows the bill to apply specifically to data centers. Previously, the bill language could be applied to projects with a peak electricity demand of 100 megawatts or more.
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The change could potentially draw ire from data center and technology companies, who have maintained they should be treated similarly to other large power users. It could also be potential fodder for lawsuits. Google and Microsoft have backed the Ratepayer Protection Act."
Amelia Davidson reports for E&E News with Nico Portuondo July 21, 2026.
