Bill · H.R. 9777· House(119-HR-9777)
Protecting Ratepayers Act
- Introduced
- 7/20/2026
- Last activity
- 7/20/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Byron Donalds
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Protecting Ratepayers Act" requires data centers to operate independently of public utility systems. This applies to any private entity that owns, operates, or plans to operate a data center with a power demand of 5 megawatts or more. The bill mandates that both new and existing data centers must use off-grid power and water sources. Specifically, they must derive all energy and water, including backups, from sources separate from the electric grid and public water systems. These requirements must be met within 180 days of the Act's enactment.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+2
By requiring on-site water and power, the bill reduces the strain on public water and electrical infrastructure.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-5
Data center owners face new, mandatory costs for establishing independent power and water supplies.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-3
The mandate imposes significant operational and infrastructure costs on data center operators.
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?-1
The bill shifts the burden of utility infrastructure away from public systems toward private, on-site generation.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Energy Independence for Data Centers: By requiring power from captive or on-site generation, data centers will not derive power from the electric grid (Section 3).
-
Water Security for Local Systems: The mandate ensures that water, including backup water, is drawn from on-sited or other sources separate from the public water system (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Operational Burdens on Existing Entities: The requirement applies to existing data centers that have already begun operations, forcing them to change their current methods of obtaining power and water (Section 2 and Section 3).
-
Strict Deadlines for Compliance: Covered entities must meet these new requirements within 180 days after the Act is enacted (Section 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support-3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+2Improves Public Transit-1
- 7/20/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House