119 HR 9777 IH: Protecting Ratepayers Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-07-20 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9777IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 20, 2026Mr. Donalds introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo require that new and existing data centers use off-grid power and water supplies, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protecting Ratepayers Act.

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.

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.

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.