Protecting Ratepayers Act
Sponsored By: Representative Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]
Introduced
Summary
Off‑grid power and water supply requirement. This bill would require covered data centers to get all electricity and backup power from on‑site or captive sources separate from the electric grid and to get all water and backup water from on‑site sources separate from public water systems. It applies to data centers with a power demand of 5 megawatts or more and would take effect 180 days after enactment.
Show full summary
- Companies that own, operate, or plan data centers within five years would have to ensure covered sites use only on‑site or captive energy and water sources.
- The rule targets data centers with power demand of 5 megawatts or more, creating a clear size threshold for coverage.
- Both existing and new data centers fall under the requirement, so operational facilities must meet the same off‑grid standards after 180 days.
- The President's "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" proclamation is given the full force of law and would be legally binding under this bill.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
New off-grid rules for data centers
If enacted, beginning 180 days after enactment, the bill would ban grid-supplied energy and public-system water for covered data centers. Covered centers (5 megawatts or more) would need to get all energy, including backup, from captive or on-site generation that does not draw from the electric grid. They would also need to get all water, including backup, from on-site or other sources that do not draw from the public water system. The rule would apply to both new and existing covered centers.
Who counts as a covered data center
If enacted, the bill would define who is a "covered entity." A covered entity would be a private company that owns, operates, maintains, or plans a data center within the next 5 years. A "data center" for this bill would mean facilities with a power demand of 5 megawatts or more. The bill would label centers operational at enactment as "existing" and others as "new."
President's pledge given legal force
If enacted, the bill would make the Presidential Proclamation titled "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" issued March 9, 2026 (91 Fed. Reg. 11439) have the full force and effect of law. This would make the proclamation's rules legally binding for utilities and covered entities that the proclamation addresses. The exact effects would depend on the proclamation's text.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]
FL • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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