From Newsweek · · 1m 40s
The House bill that makes AI data centers pay their own power bills
A bipartisan bill that cleared committee 52-0 would stop utilities passing AI data center grid costs on to households and small businesses.
In brief
A bipartisan bill that cleared committee 52-0 would stop utilities passing AI data center grid costs on to households and small businesses. H.R. 9340 would make data centers drawing 100 megawatts or more pay the full cost of the grid upgrades they need, so those costs stay off ordinary utility bills. Originally…
Who pays for AI power
AI data centers need new power plants and power lines, and someone has to pay for them. A bipartisan group in the House wants to make sure it isn't households and small businesses.
The Ratepayer Protection Act
H.R. 9340, sponsored by Colorado Republican Gabe Evans, would require states to consider rules that make large data centers pay the full cost of new generation, transmission and distribution upgrades.
The 100 megawatt line
Utilities would have to recover the full added cost of upgrades from large-load customers. The bill defines those as data centers with peak demand of 100 megawatts or more.
Why bills could rise
Utilities expect data center demand to climb sharply. Critics warn that if those costs are spread across every customer, household electricity bills go up.
“consumers should not subsidize the energy needs of some of the world's largest technology companies”
Unanimous in committee
The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the bill 52-0 on July 21, 2026. The full House votes Tuesday at 5 p.m. After that it still needs the Senate and President Trump's signature.
Who has signed on
The bill has 42 cosponsors, 35 Republicans and 7 Democrats, from Jim Jordan and Lauren Boebert to Josh Gottheimer. Florida Democrat Kathy Castor was an original cosponsor.
The big picture
H.R. 9340 would make data centers drawing 100 megawatts or more pay the full cost of the grid upgrades they need, so those costs stay off ordinary utility bills.
