Tech companies may have to pay AI data center energy costs
U.S. energy secretary Chris Wright, SoftBank Group Corp. chairman and chief executive Masayoshi Son, and U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick pose for photos with workers and local leaders after a news conference at the Portsmouth Site in Piketon, Ohio, U.S., Friday, March 20, 2026. SoftBank Group Corp. is working to deliver a data center-focused infrastructure project in Ohio so large that Chief Executive Masayoshi Son said it would pour $500 billion into a single project. campus.
Brian Kaiser | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The House of Representatives will begin considering a bill Wednesday that would force tech companies to pay for artificial intelligence’s burden on the power grid, as voters across the country voice dissatisfaction with data centers increasing utility costs.
The energy subpanel of the House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to debate and vote on this issue. Taxpayers Protection ActA bill that would require state utilities to consider creating a “bulk load standard” that would require data center builders to pay for grid upgrades needed to power them. The bill would codify parts of the White House’s “Taxpayer Protection Pledge.”
The bill represents one of Congress’ first attempts to force tech companies to meet data centers’ massive electricity demands. We are months away from the midterm elections, when voters will decide whether to wrest full control of Washington from President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft And SpaceX xAI is among the largest builders and operators of data centers.
“While the benefits of these innovations will be felt throughout society, families and small businesses across the country should not be left to foot the bill for this new development,” said House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky. “The Ratepayer Protection Act is a bipartisan effort to ensure grid upgrade costs are paid appropriately based on demand.”
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo. and Kathy Castor, D-Fla.
“Colorado families, farmers and small businesses should not be forced to bear the costs of new energy production caused by these developments,” Evans said.
Castor said the bill “protects consumers by making sure these data centers pay for the energy and grid improvements they need, so hard-working families and local businesses don’t have to pay more.”
The bill aims to ensure that technology companies building data centers cover the costs of new power generation, transmission lines and other grid-related improvements to serve large load customers. Voters have recently expressed dissatisfaction with data centers, especially with rising electricity costs.
A number of major tech companies have signed Trump’s pledge, signaling they do not oppose paying for new electricity generation to power artificial intelligence.
Still, the bill still has a long way to go before becoming law.
Before it reaches Trump’s desk, it must be approved by the Energy and Commerce Committee, the House of Representatives, and the full Senate.
