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House Republican leaders plan to bring legislation to the floor next week that would require data centers to bear the costs of additional electricity infrastructure needed to serve their growing power demands, as lawmakers face increasing pressure over rising utility bills ahead of the midterm elections.
The planned vote on the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act comes after House Republicans from politically competitive districts pressed leadership to address concerns from constituents about electricity prices tied to the rapid expansion of data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The legislation, which passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously in July, would require state utility regulators to consider standards ensuring that large data center customers cover the full incremental costs of new generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure needed to serve them.
Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are backing the move, according to their offices. The House is expected to consider the bill under an expedited procedure requiring a two-thirds majority of members present and voting for passage.
The vote would come shortly before lawmakers leave Washington for a six-week recess ahead of the November elections, increasing the political significance of the measure as Republicans seek to demonstrate that they are addressing concerns over household energy costs.
Pressure over data center expansion
The rapid growth of data centers has increased demand for electricity as technology companies expand their artificial intelligence operations. Republican lawmakers from districts where constituents have raised concerns about utility costs have urged leadership to act before the elections.
The issue has also drawn bipartisan support in Congress. The Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Ratepayer Protection Act, H.R. 9340, by a 52-0 vote in July.
Under the legislation, states would be directed to consider establishing a large-load standard requiring data centers to cover the full incremental cost of electricity infrastructure built specifically to serve their facilities. The bill also includes financial-assurance provisions intended to protect against the risk that utilities make large investments that later go unused.
The measure has nevertheless faced opposition from some lawmakers and industry groups over questions about federal involvement in what has traditionally been a state and local issue. Some Republicans have argued that decisions about where and how data centers are built should remain primarily under local control.
“I’m a true believer in local control,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer said Thursday.
The decision to proceed with a floor vote suggests that Republican leaders have decided the political pressure surrounding electricity prices outweighs the remaining concerns within the party.
A test for House Republicans
The legislation is among the final measures lawmakers are expected to consider before leaving Washington for their pre-election recess.
The timing reflects growing concern among Republicans that the rapid expansion of data centers could become an affordability issue in competitive districts. Nationally, lawmakers have faced increasing scrutiny over whether the cost of upgrading electric grids to accommodate large new power users should be absorbed by utilities and their existing customers or paid by the companies driving the additional demand.
The White House has also promoted its own Ratepayer Protection Pledge, under which major technology companies agreed to cover the energy and infrastructure costs associated with their data center expansion rather than shifting those expenses onto households.
The House legislation would establish a federal framework for state regulators to consider when setting rates for large data center customers.
Critics, however, have argued that the measure does not go far enough to address the broader environmental and infrastructure effects of data center expansion. Industry groups have also raised concerns about provisions added during the committee process.
AM radio bill also on agenda
House lawmakers are also expected to consider legislation requiring new vehicles to maintain access to AM radio.
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, H.R. 979, would direct the Transportation Department to require AM broadcast stations to remain accessible in passenger vehicles manufactured, sold or imported in the United States.
The measure has attracted broad bipartisan support from lawmakers, broadcasters and public-safety organizations. Supporters argue that AM radio remains an important source of emergency and local information, particularly during severe weather and other disasters.
Some electric vehicle manufacturers have opposed the legislation, arguing that requiring AM radio functionality could impose additional costs and create technical challenges for certain vehicle designs.
The two measures are expected to be among the issues House Republicans emphasize as lawmakers return home for the final stretch of the campaign season.
