The Protecting Ratepayers Act would require all large data centers with power demands of 5 megawatts or higher to operate completely off the electrical grid and public water systems, effective 180 days after the bill becomes law. The requirement applies to both new data centers and those already in operation, forcing existing facilities to transition to self-sufficient power and water sources such as on-site generation or captive power plants. This legislation affects private companies and entities that own, operate, or maintain data centers, as well as those planning to build data centers within the next five years. The bill contains no specific funding allocations or budget authority but references a presidential proclamation on ratepayer protection that would gain the force of law under this legislation. The intent is to prevent data centers from drawing resources from public utility systems and placing strain on ratepayers' electric and water supplies.
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