Require state utility regulators to consider adopting rules that make data centers pay the full cost of energy infrastructure upgrades needed to meet their energy demand, protecting ratepayers from rising costs.
Commitment kind: action. Promised action: Require state utility regulators to consider adopting rules that make data centers pay the full cost of energy infrastructure upgrades needed to meet their energy demand.. Promised outcome: Protect ratepayers from rising costs and hold data centers accountable for new energy infrastructure costs.. Deadline: unknown; not assumed expired. Press release from Rep. Ben Cline's official congressional office about his vote for and cosponsorship of H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, during his federal House term representing Virginia's 6th District.
Occurrences
This bill would require state utility regulators to consider adopting rules that make data centers pay the full cost of energy infrastructure upgrades needed to meet the immense energy demand of data centers, thereby protecting ratepayers from rising costs.
Cline's office describes the Ratepayer Protection Act, which he cosponsored and voted for, as requiring regulators to consider rules making data centers cover energy infrastructure upgrade costs so local ratepayers are protected.
unverified · Source version 72740 · locator unknown
"of which Congressman Cline is a cosponsor"
Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): Cline's House office said he cosponsored H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, after House passage. This is concrete legislative effort, not enactment.
unverified · Source version 72743 · locator unknown
"Cline | Republican | VA | Yea"
Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): The House Clerk recorded Cline voting yes on H.R. 9340, which passed the House 417-3. This advances the promise but does not complete it.
unverified · Source version 72745 · locator unknown
"recover from the large-load customer the full, incremental cost"
Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): The House-engrossed bill text matches the substance of requiring large data-center-type customers to cover incremental upgrade costs, subject to PURPA consideration procedures.
unverified · Source version 72747 · locator unknown
"Read the second time and placed on the calendar"
Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): The latest GovInfo Senate version shows H.R. 9340 pending on the Senate calendar, not enacted, as of September 24, 2026.
unverified · Source version 72749 · locator unknown
"therefore, Mr. President, I object"
Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): Senator Heinrich's office published his floor remarks objecting to Senate passage of the Ratepayer Protection Act and arguing it only tells states to consider action.
unverified · Source version 72751 · locator unknown
"A Senate Democrat objected, blocking the bill from Senate passage."
Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): The Senate sponsor's office confirmed a unanimous-consent effort failed, leaving the legislation unresolved rather than delivered.
unverified · Source version 84991 · locator unknown
"Vote Result: Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected"
Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): The Senate failed to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 9340 by a 57-43 vote, leaving the promise-related bill short of advancement rather than enacted.
unverified · Source version 84993 · locator unknown
"Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate."
Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): After the failed cloture vote, the Senate floor record shows the motion to proceed to H.R. 9340 was withdrawn, confirming the legislation remained unresolved as of the latest official action found.
unverified · Source version 94510 · locator unknown
Received in Senate Sept. 17, 2026. Ordered placed on the calendar Sept. 24, 2026.
Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): The October 19 official House calendar records H.R. 9340 through Senate calendar placement, with no Senate passage or enactment listed. This current-window status record supports retaining unresolved; it documents no new effort by Cline.