Congress is moving to make Big Tech pay for AI data centers' strain on the grid

The bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act would require state regulators to make data center builders cover the cost of grid upgrades

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The House Energy and Commerce Committee's energy subcommittee is scheduled to debate and vote Wednesday on the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require state utility regulators to consider making data center builders pay for grid upgrades needed to power their facilities, rather than passing those costs to residential and small-business ratepayers.

Congressman Gabe Evans and Congresswoman Kathy Castor are the bill's sponsors. Through an amendment to Section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, the legislation would direct state regulatory authorities to weigh whether to establish a large-load standard........

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