Who’s backing Eli Crane? A look at his data center donors
The article examines Rep. Eli Crane’s campaign donations from companies and political committees tied to the data center and energy industries, along with his support for federal legislation that could reduce barriers to data center construction. The reporting also highlights opposition to a proposed $10 billion data center near Horseshoe Bend in Page and concerns that growing data center demand is contributing to higher electricity costs in Arizona.
Rep. Eli Crane, an Arizona Republican, has received more than $35,000 from donors and companies positioned to benefit from the data center boom. The Copper Courier reports that Crane supported the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which restored accelerated equipment write-offs and created rural investment incentives, and voted for the SPEED Act, which would have streamlined federal permitting for energy and infrastructure projects. The SPEED Act passed the House but stalled in the Senate.
The article connects those policies to a proposed $10 billion data center near Horseshoe Bend in Page, where local activists are opposing the project. It also describes rising electricity costs and utility rate requests from Arizona Public Service and Tucson Electric Power, including an APS proposal for a 45% rate increase for data centers and other large users. Crane did not respond to the publication’s request for comment, while residents and critics argue that policies benefiting data centers are worsening financial pressure on Arizona households.