Representative Henry Cuellar proposes data center legislation
Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar is proposing a "Ratepayer Bill of Rights" legislation to regulate data center construction, ensuring they pay their own costs and protect water and electricity services. The bill aims for transparency regarding project usage and requires binding cost recovery agreements from companies. This initiative follows similar proposals from Governor Abbott and San Antonio leaders.
Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, representing San Antonio, Laredo, and other parts of South Texas, has announced a new legislative proposal called the "Ratepayer Bill of Rights." This bill aims to address the widespread concerns about data center development across Texas and the nation, specifically focusing on the costs borne by residents. Cuellar stated that families, farmers, ranchers, and small business owners should not be forced to pay for the costs created by data centers.
The proposed legislation includes three core principles: transparency regarding a project's resource usage, protection of local water and electricity services, and ensuring that data center projects cover their own costs. Congressman Cuellar indicated the bill would establish 10 clear rights, guaranteeing that data center companies must sign a binding cost recovery agreement before services commence.
Cuellar plans to file the bill when Congress reconvenes in a few weeks. The announcement comes amidst broader discussions, as Governor Abbott and leaders in San Antonio have also recently put forward their own standards and proposals for data center construction.