Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act of 2026

Summary#

This bill requires large data centers to publicly disclose their electricity and water use, infrastructure plans and costs, public support they receive, and related commitments. It applies to a data center (or related group) with peak electricity demand of at least 50 megawatts or water withdrawal of at least 100,000 gallons per day. Covered projects must report projected and actual electricity and water use (electricity every six months; water every three months), show who will pay for new infrastructure, and post information to a searchable public database. Independent assessments are required before final water or electric service commitments to confirm reliability and available water. Companies must pay project-driven costs, post financial security before construction, and may not shift those costs to protected ratepayers. The bill also requires notice, local public meetings, protections for rural water users, limits on confidentiality claims, rules against splitting projects to evade coverage, a complaint process, audits, refunds with interest for improper charges, civil penalties, and whistleblower protections. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Labor must issue rules and enforce the Act within their existing jurisdictions; State, Tribal, and local authorities keep their existing roles.

What it means for you#

• If you live, farm, or run a small business near a large data center, you would get regular public reports on how much electricity and water the center uses and where that water and power come from.
• You would see what infrastructure will be built, how much it costs, who pays, and whether public assistance or permits were given, before a final decision.
• The bill says ratepayers (households, farms, schools, hospitals, and small businesses) cannot be charged for project-driven costs of covered data centers.
• Local communities get at least 60 days' notice and a local public meeting before a final approval, with studies available in advance in plain language.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on federal budgetary costs for implementing this Act. The text requires covered data centers to pay all project-driven infrastructure and water costs, provide binding cost-recovery agreements, post adequate financial security before construction, and refund improperly charged amounts with interest within 90 days. The bill allows regulators to order refunds and assess civil penalties for violations.

Proponents' View#

The bill's findings say data centers are increasing electricity and water demand and that costs and impacts are often not disclosed to nearby families, farms, and small businesses. Supporters would argue the bill increases transparency, protects reliable and affordable electric and water service, makes companies cover their own project costs, protects rural water users and aquifers, and gives communities a clearer voice and enforcement tools.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.