# Congress targets AI power bills

> A bipartisan House bill would push large AI data centers to pay for the grid upgrades their power demand requires.
- Title: Congress targets AI power bills · CNBC | Shortify
- Summary: A bipartisan House bill would push large AI data centers to pay for the grid upgrades their power demand requires. The bill is a narrow answer to a…
- Keywords: data centers, energy, congress, utilities, business, finance, targets, power, bills, CNBC
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/09/15/congress-ai-data-center-utility-costs.html
- Author: Justin Papp
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:13:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai, data centers, energy, congress, utilities, business, finance
## A vote on power bills
The House is expected to vote on the Ratepayer Protection Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at limiting utility rate hikes tied to large AI data centers.
## Data centers would pay
The bill would let state regulators require AI data centers using 100 megawatts or more to cover new power plants, transmission lines and related grid costs.

> Those creating the new demand should be responsible for the costs associated with meeting that demand
## A fast-track path
Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to use suspension of the rules, a process for less controversial bills. Passage would need a two-thirds House vote.
## Election pressure is rising
Data center backlash has become a midterm issue as residents worry about higher bills. Both parties want to show action before lawmakers return home to campaign.
## Toss-up sponsors
The bill comes from Rep. Gabe Evans, a Colorado Republican, and Rep. Kathy Castor, a Florida Democrat. Both are running in races rated toss-ups.
## States keep control
States and local governments still decide individual projects. The House bill would create optional guardrails they could adopt for ratepayer protection.
## Critics want more
Environmental and anti-data-center groups say the bill is too weak because states could ignore it, and because it does not pause new AI data center construction.

> state regulators could ultimately choose to ignore this bill
## AI fights spill over
Hakeem Jeffries supports the bill as a step forward, but wants broader AI action. Other lawmakers are floating safety ideas, including an AI kill switch bill.

> more clearly needs to be done
## Congress may stop here
Johnson says tech companies, not Congress, bear primary responsibility for AI safety. For now, the data center bill may be the main AI action before recess.
## Key takeaway

The bill is a narrow answer to a fast-growing complaint: households should not be stuck paying for power infrastructure built for AI data centers.