Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced the Guaranteeing Rate Insulation from Data Centers (GRID) Act, a new bill designed to prevent data centers from driving up energy costs.
Created in response to the rapid expansion of data centers and rising utility bills associated with these structures, the legislation seeks to ensure new data centers use energy from power generation sources that are separate from the grid, with a 10-year off-ramp for existing data centers to find an alternative power source. The bill also calls for new transparency measures with data center operators publicly disclosing their current and future utility usage.
Furthermore, the bill seeks to guarantee there are no increases in consumer utility prices due to data centers and gives consumers priority on the grid.
“American families should not have to shoulder the burden of the rising electricity costs produced by data centers in Missouri and across the country. This is unacceptable,” Hawley said. “I am introducing legislation that will protect American citizens by requiring data centers to use energy from sources that are separate from the U.S. grid and publicly report their electricity usage.”
“Our GRID Act stops Big Tech’s AI-driven drain on family’s pocketbooks,” added Blumenthal. “The rapid buildout of power-hungry data centers is straining our electrical grid—driving up demand and causing Americans’ energy bills to skyrocket. Our bipartisan bill ensures consumers have priority on the grid and do not have to pay a penny more because of burdensome data centers. Families should not be forced to bankroll Big Tech’s electricity and infrastructure costs.”
