Senate Republicans' Data Center Utility Cost Bill Fails After Heinrich Block

According to CNBC, Senate Republicans failed on Thursday to quickly advance a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing data center-related utility cost increases after Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., blocked the measure over Democratic concerns that it relied on voluntary commitments from states and developers. The proposal, called the Ratepayer Protection Act, had been pushed for a fast vote by Sen. John Husted, R-Ohio, but Heinrich said it did not go far enough and argued Congress needed stronger legislation. The House passed the bill Wednesday night by a 417-3 vote. The measure would let states adopt a framework requiring AI data centers with demand of 100 megawatts or more to cover costs for new power sources, transmission lines and other infrastructure rather than passing those expenses to consumers. Husted said America is expected to build the equivalent of 1,000 major data centers over the next five years and that more than 2,000 projects are being proposed or tracked. Heinrich instead backed his own GRID Savings Act of 2026, which would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rulemaking authority over facilities using 150 megawatts or more and require them to pay costs tied to higher grid demand.