hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Makes large data centers pay full electricity costs, protects consumers.
Rep. Landsman, aims to shield average utility customers.
Introduced in House on March 20, 2026, not yet voted.
This bill would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authority to set electricity rates for large data centers, ensuring these centers pay for their full impact on the power grid. It also bans utilities from shifting these costs to regular households and small businesses. Additionally, it aims to protect public officials from non-disclosure agreements related to data center construction and requires an environmental study. Rep. Landsman introduced it on March 20, 2026, and it awaits committee review.
Introduced Mar 20, 2026
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Landsman on March 20, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. It has not yet had a committee hearing or vote. For it to become law, it would need to pass in the House, then the Senate, and finally be signed by the President. The listed introduction date is in the future.
If this bill passes, your monthly electricity bill could see safeguards, as utilities would be prohibited from passing on power grid costs related to large data centers to residential and small commercial customers. Local public officials would gain the ability to openly discuss data center construction without being bound by non-disclosure agreements. Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency would be directed to investigate how data centers affect local noise, air, water, carbon emissions, and waste, potentially leading to new mitigation strategies.
Supporters Say
Supporters argue it protects everyday consumers from higher electricity costs caused by data centers.
Critics Say
Critics might argue it places undue financial burden on the tech industry and could hinder data center development.
The bill's findings section explicitly states that data centers impose costs on other electricity customers, justifying the need for them to fully bear these costs and protect residential and small commercial customers. Opponents may contend that these new regulations and cost allocations could make it more expensive to build and operate data centers in the U.S., potentially impacting technological development or driving companies elsewhere. However, the bill aims to ensure a fair distribution of infrastructure costs.