LCV Cautions Lawmakers, Ratepayer Protection Act must be a first step, not last step. 

Washington, D.C.– In anticipation of next week’s vote on the Ratepayer Protection Act, the League of Conservation Voters cautioned members of Congress that the Ratepayer Protection Act on its own falls short of ensuring real protections that families need to address concerns with data centers and skyrocketing energy costs by issuing the following statement from SVP for Government Affairs, Sara Chieffo:

“The fact that this bill is being brought to the floor next week underscores what a pressing issue skyrocketing utility costs are for people across this country, but it represents only a first step. With only a weak directive to states to voluntarily consider adopting cost protections against the energy costs of data centers for ratepayers, state regulators could ultimately choose to ignore this bill.

“We call on members of Congress who are serious about responding to skyrocketing energy prices to support more comprehensive and impactful action like the Energy Bills Relief Act–something zero Republicans have done so far.

“No Representative should feel like a vote for this bill solves the concerns people back home have with data centers. The public is looking for their elected officials to take on utility corruption and guaranteeing that Big Tech will pay the full costs of infrastructure for their data centers and build the clean, reliable grid we all need. Lawmakers must also address the significant concerns communities have about data centers’ impact on water, air, climate, and noise pollution. They are fed up with corrupt backroom deals that cut out communities and don’t want data centers powered by dirtier and more expensive gas, diesel, or coal.

“The job won’t be done until there are real, enforceable guardrails to ensure environmental and public health protections, meaningful community input and benefits for communities hosting these facilities, and until Big Tech — not the public – pays the full cost of electricity and water and broader infrastructure upgrades.”

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