Democrats line up against 'toothless' bill to prevent electricity
Progressive policy ambitions meet practical realities as Americans weigh costs and consequences.
it tells utility regulators they’re allowed to consider making data centers pay for the electricity they guzzle. That’s it. No mandate.
New Republican Times Editorial Board
Senate Democrats are poised to block a House-passed bill asking local utility regulators to consider forcing data centers to pay for any electricity cost increases they incur.
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New Republican Times Editorial Board
it tells utility regulators they’re allowed to consider making data centers pay for the electricity they guzzle. That’s it. No mandate. No forced rate hike. Just a polite nudge. Senate Democrats have lined up to kill it anyway.
Their excuse is that the bill is “toothless.” Well, if it’s so weak, why are you afraid of it? A truly toothless bill costs you nothing. You can vote for it and move on. Instead, the party that talks endlessly about consumers and the climate is blocking a measure that would simply make the people building massive server farms answer for the strain they put on the grid. That tells you something, and it isn’t flattering.
We’re not pretending this bill fixes anything. Data centers are drinking power like it’s water, and the AI boom is pouring gas on the fire. But you have to start somewhere. The House found a way to open the conversation about who foots the bill when the lights flicker. Democrats slammed the door. They’d rather let the grid strain than upset a donor. That is not leadership. That is a favor.
Meanwhile, hardworking families keep paying higher bills while these facilities get sweetheart deals. A modest, toothless bill was the least Washington could do. Senate Democrats just said no to the least. Remember that at the next brownout..
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.