US Lawmakers Debate Data Center Growth and Ratepayer Protections

Federal lobbying regarding data center growth more than doubled in the second quarter of 2026, as over 200 entities pressure the government on grid connectivity and utility rate spikes. Donald Trump has secured a nonbinding pledge from hundreds of companies to limit electricity price increases for homeowners and praised the industry for its capacity to create jobs with minimal disruption.

In response to rising costs, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Ratepayer Protection Act, which aims to shield consumers from the financial burden of high-energy infrastructure. Other federal proposals include the GRID Act, which would require data centers to build their own power capacity, and a national moratorium suggested by Senator Bernie Sanders. While New York has already enacted a state-level moratorium on large-scale centers, federal leaders have not endorsed a national halt.

Regional tensions are surfacing in North Dakota, where candidate Vern Thompson proposed a one-year moratorium to slow the pace of development. However, state officials and U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak point to existing cost-causation laws as a viable model, noting that facilities like Applied Digital's Ellendale site have paid nearly $32 million in transmission riders. Rep. Jonathan Warrey is currently leading an interim legislative committee to establish legal and environmental frameworks for the industry ahead of the next session.