Ciscomani Votes to Keep Data Center Costs Off Arizonans’ Utility Bills

Washington, D.C. - Representative Juan Ciscomani voted in favor of the bipartisan H.R. 9340 Ratepayer Protection Act, which passed the House in a vote of 417 to 3. This legislation would ensure large data centers pay their fair share for energy and grid infrastructure their operations require, instead of passing those costs to families and small businesses.

"Across Arizona’s Sixth District, families and small businesses are already feeling the pressure of rising electricity costs. We cannot allow rapid data center development to come at the expense of affordable energy or leave hardworking Arizonans footing the bill for the massive amount of power these facilities require. I have raised this issue with House leadership because Arizona communities deserve a voice in how growth happens in their own backyards. Data centers should pay their own way, not drive-up utility costs for the families and businesses that call our communities home. Arizona has an opportunity to welcome new innovation and economic development while protecting ratepayers. That means bringing local communities, state and federal leaders, utilities, industry, and other stakeholders to the table to find a responsible path forward that prioritizes local control and makes sure the costs of data center growth are not passed on to Arizona families," said Rep. Juan Ciscomani.

This bill requires state utility regulators to establish rules ensuring large-load customers, including data centers, pay for new power generation, transmission, and other grid upgrades needed to serve their facilities. The bill now advances to the Senate.

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