House Passes Ratepayer Protection Act 417-3 to Shield Consumers From AI Data Center Energy Costs
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Ratepayer Protection Act on September 16, 2026, with a bipartisan vote of 417-3. The bill requires AI data centers using 100 megawatts or more of power to cover the full cost of new grid infrastructure rather than passing those costs to residential consumers. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where no action had been taken as of mid-September.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Ratepayer Protection Act on September 16, 2026, with a bipartisan vote of 417 to 3, aiming to prevent the energy costs of large AI data centers from landing on household utility bills.
The bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act to create a framework that state utility regulators can adopt. Under the legislation, data centers requiring 100 megawatts or more of power must cover the full cost of building new power sources, transmission lines, and other grid infrastructure. Those costs cannot be shifted to local ratepayers.
The bill also requires companies to provide financial assurances to protect communities if a project is canceled or relocated.
The legislation was co-sponsored by Representative Gabe Evans, a Republican from Colorado, and Representative Kathy Castor, a Democrat from Florida. It codifies elements of the White House's Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which President Donald Trump introduced in March 2026.
Three progressive Democrats voted against the bill: Representatives Summer Lee, Delia Ramirez, and Rashida Tlaib. They argued the measure did not go far enough to regulate the industry. Some environmental groups also criticized the bill, saying it could accelerate data center construction rather than slow it.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the bill was necessary to ensure that working families are not burdened by the infrastructure costs of the AI boom.
The bill passed the House but had not been taken up by the Senate as of mid-September 2026.
