Republicans tee up bill on data centers for one of the final votes before the midterms - ABC News
Senate Republicans are preparing a vote on legislation sponsored by Sen. Jon Husted that would encourage utility regulators to charge large electricity users, including data centers, for grid upgrades needed to serve them. Democrats argue the measure is too weak and want mandatory requirements, making the bill part of a broader election-year debate over data centers and energy costs.
Senate Republicans are positioning a data center and electricity-cost bill for one of the final votes before the midterm elections. Sponsored by Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted, the measure would direct utility regulators to consider a federal standard requiring large power customers to cover the cost of system upgrades associated with their electricity demand. The House approved it 417-3, but it needs at least seven Democratic senators to advance in the Senate.
Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the bill inadequate, while Sen. Martin Heinrich proposed legislation requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to impose similar grid-upgrade charges. The debate has political significance in Ohio, where Husted is seeking reelection and previously promoted the state as a data center destination, amid voter concerns about data centers' effects on electricity prices and water supplies.