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HR 9419

To facilitate the responsible development of data centers and related infrastructure, to protect existing ratepayers from the shifting of incremental infrastructure costs attributable to large-load facilities, to encourage investment in water reuse, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Michael Baumgartner

HR 9419 aims to grow data centers while shielding existing utility ratepayers from new infrastructure costs and promoting water reuse incentives.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9419

Summary of HR 9419 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

HR 9419 seeks to facilitate the responsible development of data centers and related infrastructure in the United States. The bill aims to protect existing ratepayers from bearing the incremental infrastructure costs associated with large-load facilities (such as data centers) and to encourage investment in water reuse. In short, it intends to create a framework that supports data center growth while shielding utility customers and promoting sustainable water practices.

Key provisions and changes (as outlined in the bill text and purpose)

  • Data center development framework: Establishes policy considerations and potential incentives to encourage the siting and expansion of data centers and related infrastructure while emphasizing responsible development.
  • Ratepayer protections: Provisions intended to prevent shifting of incremental infrastructure costs attributable to large-load facilities onto existing ratepayers. This suggests mechanisms to isolate or offset the cost impacts from new data center load on utility rates.
  • Infrastructure cost allocation: Sets up considerations for how costs associated with new data center infrastructure (e.g., transmission, distribution, and other related capital expenditures) should be allocated or recovered, with an emphasis on protecting current ratepayers.
  • Water reuse incentives: Encourages investment in water reuse technologies and projects, potentially including funding, incentives, or streamlined processes to promote sustainable water use in data center operations and related facilities.
  • Interagency and jurisdictional coordination: Given the references to Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees, the bill likely contemplates coordination among federal agencies on standards, incentives, or regulatory processes affecting data centers and associated infrastructure.

Note: The summary above reflects the bill’s stated aims and typical mechanisms such bills use. The exact statutory text would detail specific programs, funding authorizations, criteria, beneficiary definitions, and regulatory processes.

Who would be affected

  • Data center developers and operators: Potential access to incentives or clearer regulatory pathways for expansion, along with clarified expectations on cost allocations and ratepayer impacts.
  • Utility ratepayers: Aims to shield existing customers from bearing incremental costs tied to large-load facilities.
  • Municipalities and utility regulators: May implement rules or programs consistent with the bill’s directives, particularly around cost allocation and rate design.
  • Water infrastructure and utilities: Encouraged investment in water reuse projects, which could affect funding, permitting, and project development for water utilities and associated sectors.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, as well as the Committee on Energy and Commerce (for consideration of provisions within their jurisdiction). A referral to two committees indicates potential parallel consideration of tax/finance implications (Ways and Means) and energy/infrastructure/commerce implications.
  • Sponsor information: Co-sponsor Michael Baumgartner is listed, indicating bipartisan or coalition support dynamics (as per the sponsor’s alignment).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • By focusing on ratepayer protections, the bill seeks to prevent unaffordable impacts on electricity customers while supporting the growth of data centers.
  • Promoting water reuse aligns with sustainability goals and could drive investment in water-efficient cooling and related technologies.
  • The bill may influence capital planning, rate design, and regulatory approvals for data-center-related infrastructure projects.
  • Detailed implementation would depend on the bill’s final text, including funding authorizations, tax or incentive provisions, eligibility criteria, and oversight mechanisms.

If you’d like, I can provide a line-by-line breakdown once the full legislative text is available, or compare this bill to prior data-center-related legislation to highlight novel or consistent provisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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