Senate Democrat Blocks House-Passed Data Center Bill
Senate Democrat Blocks House-Passed Data Center Bill
The News
Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., blocked a fast-track Senate vote Thursday on the Ratepayer Protection Act, the House-passed bill meant to make data centers pay for the extra utility costs they create.
Heinrich called the measure a half-measure that does not go far enough to protect ratepayers, and offered his own stricter bill instead. Sen. Bernie Moreno objected to that one, blocking it too.
The standoff kills the best chance for the only AI-related measure that could have passed Congress this fall.
What the Bill Does
The Ratepayer Protection Act targets data centers drawing 100 megawatts or more, requiring them to cover the added utility costs they impose on the grid. It cleared the House on Wednesday by 417-3.
Heinrich's alternative, the GRID Savings Act, would apply to facilities using 150 megawatts or more.
Timeline
The House passes the Ratepayer Protection Act 417-3, forcing data centers to foot the bill for the increased utility costs they generate.
Heinrich blocks a fast-track Senate vote on the House bill, calling it insufficient and proposing his GRID Savings Act in its place.
Moreno objects to Heinrich's counter-proposal, leaving both bills stalled.
Reactions
Heinrich said the House bill is a half-measure, arguing its state-level, voluntary framework does not impose enforceable obligations on data centers and gives the industry political cover without real protection for ratepayers.
Sen. Jon Husted, the bill's sponsor, said he will keep pushing the legislation after the Senate reconvenes.
Coverage split along familiar lines: NOTUS framed it as Senate Democrats blocking the only AI-related measure with a path this fall, while The Gateway Pundit led with the House's near-unanimous vote to make data centers pay.
What's Next
The Senate is scheduled to leave Washington in two weeks, with no clear path for either bill.
Husted intends to bring the measure back when senators return. Whether Heinrich's GRID Savings Act can attract enough Republican support to move in a future session is unresolved.
More
The fight lands in the middle of an election year. Data center construction tied to AI growth has pushed up utility bills in communities across the country, turning energy affordability into a live campaign issue ahead of November.
Husted faces a toss-up reelection race in Ohio, where data centers are a central campaign issue.
Poll
Who should pay for the extra electricity costs data centers create?
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