Senator Halts Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Reducing Data Center Costs
WHO:
New York Post - Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) blocked the bill.
New York Post - Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) attempted to fast-track the Ratepayer Protection Act.
New York Post - Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) objected to Heinrich’s GRID Savings Act.
New York Post - National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) commented on Husted's record.
WHAT:
New York Post - The Ratepayer Protection Act would require states to enforce standards for 100MW+ data center operators to cover the costs of grid upgrades.
New York Post - The House approved the Ratepayer Protection Act with a vote of 417-3.
New York Post - Heinrich's GRID Savings Act would require large electricity users to pay for facilities needed to connect to the grid.
New York Post - Husted described the blocked bill as “the most meaningful, bipartisan step Congress could take to protect the American people from higher prices for electricity.”
WHERE:
New York Post - The events took place in Washington, D.C.
New York Post - A Meta-owned data center is under construction in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
New York Post - An aerial view of a data center is located in Vernon, California.
WHEN:
New York Post - The Senate is scheduled to be in session for the remainder of this month before going on recess until after the midterm elections.
WHY:
New York Post - Heinrich stated, “AI data centers can mean higher costs for American families, and in a lot of places they already do,” emphasizing that the Ratepayer Protection Act falls short of necessary measures.
New York Post - Heinrich argued the Ratepayer Protection Act does not go far enough to address the costs associated with AI data centers.
New York Post - The NRSC indicated that perceptions of data centers could negatively impact Husted's re-election campaign.
HOW:
New York Post - Heinrich's GRID Savings Act calls for federal standards governing large-load interconnections, which was objected to by Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).
New York Post - Heinrich sought unanimous consent for his GRID Savings Act to address the costs of data centers.
New York Post - The Ratepayer Protection Act aims to prevent large electricity users from shifting costs onto everyday utility customers.
(UPDATED September 19, 2026 02:59 UTC)
The Ratepayer Protection Act is set to require states to enforce standards for data center operators managing over 100 megawatts to cover the costs of grid upgrades. Senator Heinrich expressed concerns that while the act aims to address rising costs from AI data centers, it ultimately falls short of what is needed to protect American families. Additionally, Heinrich's GRID Savings Act proposes federal standards for large-load interconnections, although this initiative faced objections from Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio.
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(UPDATED September 19, 2026 02:08 UTC)
In a significant development from Washington, D.C., the House has approved the Ratepayer Protection Act with an overwhelming vote of 417 to 3, while Senator Martin Heinrich blocked a related bill aimed at addressing costs associated with AI data centers. Senator Jon Husted attempted to fast-track the Ratepayer Protection Act, which seeks to prevent large electricity users from shifting costs onto everyday utility customers, but Heinrich objected to his GRID Savings Act, arguing it doesn't go far enough. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has commented on Husted's record, suggesting that perceptions of data centers could impact his re-election campaign as the Senate prepares to be in session for the remainder of the month before a recess.