Senate Could Vote This Week on a Bipartisan Bill Making AI Data Centers Pay for Their Own Power, Unusual Whales Says
The Senate could vote as soon as this week on a bipartisan bill to speed up energy projects and make AI data centers pay their own way on the power grid. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act would: Shorten environmental reviews for energy infrastructure, and the window to challenge projects in court Require data centers to pay for the electricity and grid upgrades they need, instead of passing costs on to other customers Make large data center developers put up money upfront in case a facility closes before new power projects are paid off It’s led by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).
Context
If it passes, AI data centers would carry the cost of the grid upgrades they need while energy projects get faster reviews.
Unusual Whales says the Senate could vote as soon as this week on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, led by Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Sheldon Whitehouse, Mike Lee and Martin Heinrich. It would shorten environmental reviews for energy projects, require data centers to pay for the electricity and grid upgrades they need, and make large developers put up money in case a facility closes early. The post names no outlet, and the vote timing is unconfirmed. The bill has not passed.
What to expect next
Watch for the Senate schedule, the final vote, and whether the House takes up the bill.