Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
Introduced
Summary
Ratepayer Bill of Rights would stop households and small businesses from being stuck with the hidden costs and resource strains of large data centers. It would force public disclosures, independent water and grid reviews, binding cost‑recovery agreements, and enforceable refunds and penalties.
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- Families and small businesses would gain protections against paying for data‑center costs. Companies would have to pay all project‑driven costs and provide refunds with interest within 90 days for improper charges.
- Rural communities and farms would get stronger water safeguards. The bill would require independent assessments that water and wastewater needs are met even during drought and block draws from already overdrawn aquifers for data centers defined at 50 megawatts or 100,000 gallons per day.
- Local governments, utilities, and developers would face new transparency and oversight rules. Projects would need plain‑language disclosures and at least 60 days notice plus a local meeting, key studies available 30 days before approval, public database postings, limits on using related entities to evade rules, and federal enforcement with whistleblower protections.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stop ratepayer subsidies for data centers
You would not pay project-driven costs for a covered data center. The company would have to pay those costs and sign a binding cost-recovery agreement before construction. The company would post adequate financial security before building. Regulators could require refunds with interest within 90 days if improper charges are imposed.
Enforcement, refunds, and whistleblower protections
You would be able to file a simple complaint about a covered data center. Federal and State regulators would be able to audit compliance, require refunds, and assess civil penalties for violations. Employees who report violations would be protected from retaliation. Four federal agencies (FERC, DOE, EPA, and DOL) would issue rules and enforce the Act in their areas, while States, Tribes, and local governments would keep authority over rates, water rights, land use, and permits. Federal agencies would publish an annual report listing complaints, penalties, and refunds.
Protect rural water, farms, and reliability
Before a final service commitment, an independent electric reliability review would have to show the data center will not materially reduce service for existing customers. An independent water availability review would have to show enough water remains for homes, farms, and businesses, including during drought. The company would pay all project-driven water costs, fund enforceable conservation tied to its water use, and could not get priority over households, hospitals, or schools in a water emergency. A data center could not draw from an already-overdrawn aquifer unless an independent review shows no further harm. Related or affiliated projects would be treated as one project and material expansions would reopen cost, water, and reliability reviews.
Public notice and data-center reporting
You would get at least 60 days' notice and a local public meeting before final approval. Cost, water, and reliability studies would be published at least 30 days earlier in plain language. Projects would disclose planned infrastructure, who pays, and expected effects on household, farm, and small-business bills before final approval. If a project meets the size rules (50 megawatts or 100,000 gallons per day), it would report electricity use every six months and water use every three months. Aggregate electricity, water, costs, public assistance, and emissions would be posted to a searchable public database within 30 days.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
TX • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34]
TX • D
Sponsored 8/27/2026
Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
TX • D
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 9/14/2026
Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]
VA • D
Sponsored 9/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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