House · HR 9340 · 119th Congress
Ratepayer Protection Act
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Summary
This bill requires states to consider a new rule about how electric utilities charge large data centers for power upgrades. Data centers using 100 megawatts or more must pay the full cost of any grid upgrades needed to serve them. It also requires data centers to pay upfront before upgrades are built.
In Favor
Right now, ordinary households and small businesses often share the cost of grid upgrades built for giant data centers. This bill makes data centers pay their own way, protecting everyday ratepayers from higher electric bills. It also requires upfront payments so utilities are not left holding the costs if a data center shuts down.
Against
Forcing data centers to pay the full cost of grid upgrades may push large tech projects to states with fewer rules. That could mean fewer jobs and less tax revenue in communities that need investment. Utilities also lose the chance to spread upgrade costs across more customers, which can make the grid less affordable for everyone.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This bill requires states to consider making large data centers pay the full cost of any electric grid upgrades needed to serve them. It targets the problem of other utility customers potentially sharing those upgrade costs.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The provisions stay on topic, focusing on cost recovery rules for large data center customers and the process for states to consider and adopt those rules.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Data centers using 100 megawatts or more at one site would bear new upgrade costs and must provide financial guarantees upfront. Electric utilities gain a legal basis to collect those costs before starting upgrades.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill shifts upgrade costs from the general pool of utility customers onto large data center customers directly. No federal dollars are authorized or appropriated, and no CBO cost estimate appears in the sources.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
States must complete reviews within two years, which could strain state regulatory resources. If a state already acted on a similar rule, it may be exempt, creating uneven application across states.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 9/17/2026