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Senate blocks bill that would shift data center power costs to users
Senators voted 57-43 to advance the Ratepayer Protection Act but it fell short of the 60 votes needed for a procedural hurdle, after Republicans sought to bolster midterm prospects.
The US Senate on Sept. 30 blocked legislation that would have required state utility regulators to consider whether large electricity users, including data centers, should pay the incremental costs of power infrastructure built to serve them, a move intended to ease pressure on household electricity bills, according to Insurance Journal.
Senators voted 57-43 to advance the Ratepayer Protection Act, but it did not reach the 60 votes required to clear a Senate procedural hurdle, with only four Democrats voting for the measure.
Insurance Journal reports Senate Republicans had sought to use the vote to improve their outlook for the November 3 midterm elections, while Democrats argued the bill did not adequately protect consumers from rising electricity bills.
The vote follows broader opposition to data centers amid their rapid expansion to support artificial intelligence, with the outlet noting polls show opposition despite US President Donald Trump’s support for their development.