Taylor votes for House bill shielding Ohioans from data center energy costs

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 9340, known as the Ratepayer Protection Act, a bill championed by U.S. Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio).

The legislation seeks to establish a federal standard that would shield electricity consumers from increased costs attributed to large energy users, such as artificial intelligence data centers. Representative Taylor, who represents Ohio's 2nd Congressional District, stated his support for the bill, emphasizing that it would mandate data centers and similar high-load facilities to cover their proportional share of electricity grid costs, rather than shifting these burdens onto residential ratepayers.

Taylor highlighted Ohio's rapid growth as a national hub for digital infrastructure, underscoring the importance of ensuring that local families are not negatively impacted by rising energy costs stemming from data center development. He pointed to significant projects within his district, including a proposed AI data center and gas-fired power campus at the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant site in Pike County, as examples that have prompted questions about electricity infrastructure funding. The congressman encouraged collaborative efforts among local, state, and federal officials to enhance transparency in development processes, solidify Ohio's position as an energy leader, and maintain the state's affordability for future generations.