CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanBill · S. 5028· Senate(119-S-5028)

Ratepayer Protection Act

Rep. Husted
Age: 59 years
Ohio
Introduced
7/16/2026
Last activity
7/16/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsored by
Jon Husted
Cosponsors
Republican - 16Democrat - 0
Energy
  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill is known as the Ratepayer Protection Act. It amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to create a new Federal standard for large-load customers. These large-load customers are defined as non-residential electric consumers that run facilities for information technology infrastructure, data storage, and computational applications with a peak electric demand of 100 megawatts or more at a single site or campus. The bill requires that utility rates for these large-load customers cover the full, incremental cost of any upgrades needed to serve them. Utilities must also require these large-load customers to provide financial assurances or contributions before making any necessary upgrades. Finally, the legislation sets timelines for State regulatory authorities and nonregulated electric utilities to consider and determine this new standard.

Yes· 3 of 6

  • Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+6

    Everyday electric ratepayers are protected from absorbing the high infrastructure costs associated with massive data and computing centers.

  • Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5

    Protects lower-income households from electricity rate hikes caused by utility upgrades for large tech facilities.

  • Would middle-income households be better off under this?+5

    Shields middle-class ratepayers from absorbing the incremental costs of massive new commercial grid upgrades.

The opposite

  • Would business owners be better off under this?-2

    Imposes stricter financial assurance and cost-recovery rules specifically targeting very large load commercial operations.