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Senator Jon Husted Faces Campaign Scrutiny Over Data Center Bill Amidst Tight Reelection Bid

Senator Jon Husted Faces Campaign Scrutiny Over Data Center Bill Amidst Tight Reelection Bid

Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) is facing political pressure regarding a bill aimed at reining in costs associated with data centers, known as the Ratepayer Protection Act. The Senate is expected to vote on this legislation, which passed the House last week with near-unanimous support. Husted, the Senate sponsor, views the bill as a bipartisan effort to address affordability concerns and guide state data center policies. However, Senate Democrats have blocked an attempt to fast-track the bill, arguing it does not go far enough to protect consumers, as it only requires states to consider, not adopt, its framework for data centers to cover their energy costs. This legislative push comes as Husted is in a tough reelection campaign against former Senator Sherrod Brown, who has made Husted’s past support for new data center projects a central theme of his campaign. A recent Bowling Green State University poll indicates that 75% of Ohio voters oppose the construction of data centers in their local communities.

US Senate blocks bill to address data center costs

US Senate blocks bill to address data center costs

By Richard Cowan and Nichola Groom WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The US Senate on Wednesday blocked legislation requiring state utility regulators to consider whether large electricity users, including data centers, should bear the incremental costs of power infrastructure built to serve them and

Data center bill falls short in Senate as lawmakers take final votes before the midterms

Data center bill falls short in Senate as lawmakers take final votes before the midterms

The Senate has failed to advance a bill that attempts to address voter worries about data centers and their impact on energy bills

Senate Fails to Advance Data Center Bill Amidst Election-Year Disagreement on Energy Costs

Senate Fails to Advance Data Center Bill Amidst Election-Year Disagreement on Energy Costs

A bill aimed at addressing the impact of data centers on energy costs failed to advance in the U.S. Senate, falling short of the 60 votes needed. The measure, which had previously passed the House with a significant majority (417-3), garnered only 57-43 in the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Jon Husted of Ohio, proposed requiring utility regulators to consider adopting a federal standard that would charge large power customers, such as data centers, rates covering the cost of necessary grid upgrades. Democrats, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized the bill as insufficient, labeling it a 'fraud' and arguing it merely suggested rather than mandated action. They advocate for stronger legislation that would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue mandatory rules for large electricity consumers to pay for grid improvements. The failure to pass the bill occurred as senators prepared to leave Washington for campaign activities ahead of the midterms, highl...

Republicans tee up bill on data centers for one of the final votes before the midterms

Republicans tee up bill on data centers for one of the final votes before the midterms

Senate Republicans are dedicating one of the final votes leading up to the midterms to a bill that attempts to address voter worries about data centers and their impact on energy bills

Senate reaches bipartisan deal on permitting bill to speed approvals of new energy projects

Senate reaches bipartisan deal on permitting bill to speed approvals of new energy projects

Senators from both parties are saying they have reached a bipartisan deal on legislation aimed at speeding up permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects that now face yearslong delays as lawmakers seek to meet growing demand for electricity and other forms of energy

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer Moves to Block Bill Protecting Taxpayers from AI Data Center Energy Costs

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer Moves to Block Bill Protecting Taxpayers from AI Data Center Energy Costs

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is actively working to prevent the passage of a bill aimed at protecting families from increased energy costs associated with new AI-driven data centers. The bill, co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio), passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 417-3. It seeks to ensure that companies building data centers, rather than households, bear the cost of new power plants and transmission lines required to serve these facilities. Senator Schumer has labeled the measure a 'fraud,' arguing that it is voluntary and does not mandate companies to comply, in contrast to a mandatory bill he supports. His second-in-command, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), has not publicly stated a position on the bill. Republican leaders in the Senate intend to force a recorded vote on the bill, which would require every Senate Democrat to publicly state their stance.

Senator Martin Heinrich Blocks Ratepayer Protection Act, Proposes GRID Savings Act for AI Data Center Costs

Senator Martin Heinrich Blocks Ratepayer Protection Act, Proposes GRID Savings Act for AI Data Center Costs

Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has blocked the Ratepayer Protection Act in the Senate, arguing that the bipartisan legislation does not adequately protect U.S. consumers from the rising costs associated with AI-driven data centers. The Ratepayer Protection Act, which passed the House with overwhelming support (417-3), aimed to establish federal standards for state regulators when reviewing proposals for new customers with electricity demands of 100 megawatts or more, including large AI data centers. It also recommended charging large electricity customers for extra grid upgrade costs. Senator Heinrich, the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, stated that the measure "does not go far enough to protect U.S. consumers" and that "Congress needs to pass real legislation with real teeth." He has instead proposed the GRID Savings Act, introduced in July 2026, which would mandate that very large electricity users, such as AI data centers consuming 150 MW or more, directly pay for th...

Senate Democrats Block Congressman Gabe Evans' Bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act

Senate Democrats Block Congressman Gabe Evans' Bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act

Senate Democrats have blocked Congressman Gabe Evans’ bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act for the second time in two weeks, despite the legislation passing the U.S. House of Representatives with an overwhelming 417–3 vote. The bill, designed to shield American families, farmers, seniors, and small businesses from bearing the costs of new energy infrastructure required by large-load data centers, failed to advance in the Senate after receiving 57 votes (53 Republicans and 4 Democrats), falling short of the 60 votes needed. Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper voted against the legislation, a move criticized by Congressman Evans, who stated that Senate Democrats prioritized 'political games' over a 'commonsense solution.' The Act would have required regulators in states without comparable protections to hold public hearings on a federal standard, ensuring large-load data centers pay the full incremental costs of new power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. It also pr...

Price of gas, diesel continues to remain high across United States

Price of gas, diesel continues to remain high across United States

Gas prices are fluctuating across the country. See how much a gallon of regular unleaded costs in your state today.

Americans continue to disapprove of job President Trump is doing

Americans continue to disapprove of job President Trump is doing

President Trump continues to see more Americans think he is not doing the job in the White House. Entering October, 60% of the people disappove.

U.S. Representatives Lead Bipartisan Letter Opposing ACHP's Section 106 Proposal to Revise Historic Preservation Regulations

U.S. Representatives Lead Bipartisan Letter Opposing ACHP's Section 106 Proposal to Revise Historic Preservation Regulations

U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), Mike Turner (R-OH), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Jared Huffman (D-CA) are leading a bipartisan letter in the House of Representatives. This letter, along with a similar one circulated by Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) in the Senate, expresses strong opposition to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's (ACHP) proposed rewrite of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act's implementing regulations. The proposed rulemaking by the ACHP is criticized for potentially dismantling the framework that has protected historic places for six decades. Concerns include shifting authority from collaborative consultation to unilateral agency control, making public comment optional, limiting consideration of adverse effects, and redefining what constitutes a historic property. The letter also questions the rushed and non-transparent process behind the proposal.