To require that new and existing data centers use off-grid power and water supplies, and for other purposes.

Byron Donalds

Republican · FL · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

2026-07-20

Source: Congress.gov

Data center operators would be required to power their facilities using energy sources not connected to the electrical grid—such as solar panels, wind turbines, or batteries—and to obtain water from sources independent of municipal water systems. This would affect large technology companies and other businesses that operate data centers, potentially increasing their construction and operating costs while reducing strain on local power grids and water supplies. The requirement would apply to both new data centers being built and existing facilities that would need to upgrade their infrastructure.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9777 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9777 To require that new and existing data centers use off-grid power and water supplies, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 20, 2026 Mr. Donalds introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require that new and existing data centers use off-grid power and water supplies, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Ratepayers Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' means a private company, or other private entity, that-- (A) owns, operates, or maintains a data center; or (B) has plans to own, operate, or maintain a data center within the next 5 years. (2) Data center.--The term ``data center'' means a data center, as defined in section 453(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17112(a)), with a power demand of 5 megawatts or more. (3) Existing data center.--The term ``existing data center'' means a data center that has begun operations as of the date of enactment of this Act. (4) New data center.--The term ``new data center'' means a data center or planned data center that is not yet operational as of the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 3. DATA CENTER REQUIREMENT FOR OFF-GRID POWER AND WATER SUPPLY. Beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, a covered entity may not build, own, operate, or maintain a new data center or existing data center unless the data center derives all-- (1) energy, including back-up energy, from a captive power plant, on-site power generation, or some other source or combination of sources separate from, and not deriving power from, the electric grid; and (2) water, including back-up water, from an on-site water source, or some other water source or combination of sources separate from, and not deriving water from, the public water system. SEC. 4. RATEPAYER PROTECTION PLEDGE. Proclamation of the President issued on March 9, 2026, titled ``Ratepayer Protection Pledge'' (91 Fed. Reg. 11439) shall have the full force and effect of law. <all>

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