Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act of 2026

This bill sets rules for data centers that use at least 50 megawatts of peak electricity or withdraw at least 100,000 gallons of water per day. These data centers would have to publicly report their projected and actual electricity and water use, the infrastructure built to serve them, its costs, its effect on customer bills, and any public assistance they receive. Companies would have to pay all costs caused by their projects, and those costs could not be passed on to households, farms, small businesses, schools, or hospitals through rates or surcharges. Independent assessments would have to confirm enough water and reliable electricity remain for existing users before service is approved, and residents would get at least 60 days' notice and a local public meeting before a final decision. Federal agencies would issue rules and enforce the law, while state, Tribal, and local authorities keep their existing powers.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Henry Cuellar Democrat sponsor
• 5 cosponsors