Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act of 2026 requires large data centers to publicly disclose their electricity and water usage, infrastructure costs, and any public financial assistance they receive. The law applies to data centers with peak electricity demand of at least 50 megawatts or daily water withdrawal of at least 100,000 gallons. The bill's core protections prevent ratepayers from subsidizing data center costs, ensure sufficient water remains for households and farms, require independent assessments of reliability impacts, and mandate at least 60 days' notice and public meetings before approval. Multiple federal agencies including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency will enforce the requirements, while state and local authorities retain control over utility rates and water rights. The legislation includes provisions for refunds with interest when costs are improperly charged to ratepayers and establishes whistleblower protections for employees reporting violations.
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