Story perspectives

House Passes Bill to Require Full Power Costs for Data Centers

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 6:21 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Data Center PFAS Risk

The U.S. House passed legislation requiring state utility regulators to consider charging data centers the full cost of power and transmission upgrades.
Center coverage notes emerging worries that data-center cooling systems may use PFAS “forever chemicals,” posing health and environmental risks.
The bill cleared the chamber 417-3, with supporters calling it a first step for consumers.
Rep. Frank Pallone said the measure is only the beginning of addressing data-center impacts.

Left

State Penalties for Noncompliance

The U.S. House passed a bill requiring state utility regulators to consider charging data centers the full cost of power and transmission upgrades.
Community groups and residents voiced opposition, demanding moratoriums and fair cost allocation to safeguard water resources and health.
Columbus City Council, with President Shannon Hardin, urged data centers to cover water costs.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered penalties for centers failing a water survey, noting 70% non-compliance.

Blindspot

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the state Water Development Board to pursue criminal penalties against data centers that failed a water-usage survey, noting that more than 70 % of facilities were non-compliant.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The Energy Policy Act of 1992, signed Oct 24 1992, broadened federal oversight of utility rates and gave FERC new authority over transmission charges. A 1995 estimate showed transmission losses of roughly 7 percent, highlighting financial pressure on utilities. Decades later, Rep. Frank Pallone’s House proposal asks regulators to apply those rate-recovery rules to data-center operators, echoing the act’s original cost-recovery mandate.

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Data Center PFAS Risk

The U.S. House passed legislation requiring state utility regulators to consider charging data centers the full cost of power and transmission upgrades.
Center coverage notes emerging worries that data-center cooling systems may use PFAS “forever chemicals,” posing health and environmental risks.
The bill cleared the chamber 417-3, with supporters calling it a first step for consumers.
Rep. Frank Pallone said the measure is only the beginning of addressing data-center impacts.

1 / 4