US House passes bill requiring data centers to pay for their own power

The US House overwhelmingly passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require state regulators to consider a standard making data centers with peak demand of 100 MW or more cover the full cost of grid upgrades. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate as lawmakers push for a national strategy that puts communities first.

• Bill would make data centers with 100 MW+ peak demand pay for grid upgrades
• Measure amends PURPA to set a large-load standard for big consumers
• Senate has not acted, leaving the bill's future uncertain
• Lawmakers call for a national strategy and transparency on power and water use