Senate blocks data center, stock trading bills ahead of November midterms
The U.S. Senate rejected the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would have required data centers to cover electricity costs associated with their construction and operations. Democrats said the bill was insufficient, while Republicans argued it would protect consumers from rising electricity rates.
The Senate rejected the Ratepayer Protection Act and a separate bill addressing congressional stock trading during its final legislative session before the November elections. The data center measure was intended to prevent data centers from shifting construction and operating electricity costs onto local ratepayers.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the bill would establish a standard requiring data centers to shoulder those costs. Democrats opposed the measure as inadequate and characterized the vote as political messaging. The bill had bipartisan support in the House, but only four Senate Democrats supported it. The debate has become particularly prominent in states such as Ohio, where Sen. Jon Husted has faced criticism over his support for data center development.