Bipartisan Data Center Cost Bill Stalls in Senate as Democrats Push Tougher Alternative
A bipartisan bill responding to voter anger over rising electricity costs tied to AI data centers hit a roadblock in the Senate on Thursday, a day after clearing the House in a lopsided 417-3 vote. Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) sought quick passage of the Ratepayer Protection Act by unanimous consent, but Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the top Democrat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, objected, blocking the move.
The bill would create a state opt-in framework requiring large data centers with at least 100 megawatts of peak demand to cover the full cost of grid upgrades needed to serve them, shielding ordinary ratepayers from higher bills. Heinrich argued the measure relies on voluntary standards and falls short, pushing his own GRID Savings Act as a stronger alternative.
With the Senate departing in weeks and midterms approaching, neither bill currently has a clear path forward, leaving the cost-allocation fight over AI-driven power demand unresolved for now.
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