Senate Democrats block datacenter energy bill

The US Senate failed to advance the Ratepayer Protection Act in a 57-43 vote, short of the 60 needed. The bill would have required utilities to ensure datacenters cover the cost of grid upgrades instead of passing them to households. The House had passed it almost unanimously earlier in September.

• Vote was 57-43, short of the 60 needed to advance
• House approved the bill almost unanimously in September
• Bill would have made datacenters pay for grid upgrades, not ratepayers
• Vote came ahead of the November 3 midterm elections