Senate Permit Deal Would Mandate Data Centers Pay Grid Costs
A bipartisan group of US senators agreed on legislation that would accelerate federal approval of major infrastructure projects while requiring data center developers to pay for grid-related costs caused by their facilities. The bill would also require data centers to report their energy use to the Energy Information Administration, aiming to protect consumers from higher electricity prices.
A bipartisan group of senators reached an agreement on a 417-page infrastructure permitting bill that includes new requirements for power-intensive data centers. Under the proposal, developers would be responsible for costs tied to high-voltage transmission lines, power generation, distribution and other grid upgrades needed to serve their facilities.
The legislation would also require data centers to report energy consumption to the federal Energy Information Administration. Its provisions are intended to prevent electricity costs associated with rapidly expanding AI data centers from being shifted to consumers while speeding approval of pipelines, power lines and other major infrastructure projects.