The bill: The Ratepayer Protection Act, introduced last week by Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Gabe Evans (R-CO), juggles two aims: 1) protecting households from rising power bills and 2) advancing the AI industry. Specifically, it would order states to consider a standard to make large loads cover new generation and transmission upgrade costs.
The blowback: While Google and Microsoft have cheered on the bill, the Data Center Coalition hasn’t made up its mind yet. And on Capitol Hill, some Democrats want stricter legislation that also includes environmental and community protections. The bill is teed up for a subcommittee vote today.
Molly Glick
Energy Central Team
Wed, Jun 24