Senate Bill to Offset Data Centers' Impact on Energy Costs Introduced

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2026 – A bill that would require data centers to offset their energy cost impacts on rate payers was introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

The Power for the People Act would make several regulatory changes requiring data centers to supply their own power sources and shift responsibility for costs of increases to grid capacity to accommodate usage to the companies themselves.

“Although they are not the only factor causing electricity prices to rise, it is clear that new data center energy demand is having a significant and growing impact on Americans’ utility bills,” Van Hollen said in a Jan. 15 press release.

This post is for subscribers only

Become a member to get access to all content

Subscribe now