Senate Fails to Advance Bill Addressing Data Centers’ Impact on Electricity Costs
A Senate bill addressing data centers’ impact on electricity costs failed to advance after receiving 57 votes, short of the 60 needed. The measure would have urged utility regulators to consider requiring large power customers to cover grid upgrade costs, while Democrats argued that stronger mandatory requirements were necessary.
The U.S. Senate voted 57-43 against advancing legislation intended to address concerns that data centers are increasing electricity costs and requiring costly grid upgrades. Sponsored by Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, the bill would have directed utility regulators to consider a federal cost-allocation standard for large power customers. It had previously passed the House 417-3 but needed seven Democratic votes to overcome the Senate’s 60-vote threshold.
Democrats, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., criticized the measure as voluntary and insufficient. They backed an alternative proposal that would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to require large electricity customers to pay for necessary grid improvements. The vote has political significance in Ohio, where Husted is seeking reelection amid growing public concern about data centers, energy prices and infrastructure demands.