Eliminate outdated federal regulations to enable manufacturers, data centers, and other energy-intensive industries to build customized, reliable, and resilient off-grid electricity systems without impacting existing power grids.

Tom Cotton · Arkansas · Republican

policy impact 8.00 specificity 8.00 extraction confidence 97%

Occurrences

The DATA Act of 2026 will eliminate outdated federal regulations and enable manufacturers, data centers, and other energy-intensive industries to build customized electricity systems without impacting existing power grids. The DATA Act of 2026 would: Accelerate energy innovation, boost U.S. competitiveness, and support economic growth through off grid power solutions. Exempt new, physically isolated off grid electricity providers and certain consumer regulated utilities from outdated federal regulations not designed for on site, self-contained power systems. Enable manufacturers, data centers, and other energy intensive industries to build reliable, resilient, customized electricity systems without impacting existing grids or ratepayers. Limit eligibility to systems fully isolated from the bulk power grid to preserve grid reliability and public safety.

Tom Cotton promises to pass the DATA Act of 2026, which will eliminate outdated federal regulations and allow certain industries to build isolated off-grid energy systems, aiming to lower energy costs, promote innovation, and preserve grid reliability.

Cotton Introduces Bill to Lower Energy Costs for Arkansans
primary · press_release · model gpt-4.1

Tom Cotton promises to eliminate outdated federal regulations so industries can build reliable off-grid electricity systems without affecting the power grid.

Cotton Introduces Bill to Lower Energy Costs for Arkansans
primary · press_release · model gpt-4.1

Evidence

Sen. Tom Cotton said the DATA Act of 2026 would 'eliminate outdated federal regulations' and 'enable manufacturers, data centers, and other energy-intensive industries to build reliable, resilient, customized electricity systems without impacting existing grids or ratepayers.'

Cotton publicly advanced the exact policy goal in an official Senate press release and framed it as legislation he had introduced.

partial same_term A for effort

Cotton Introduces Bill to Lower Energy Costs for Arkansans
primary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 98%

Congress.gov shows S.3585 was introduced by Sen. Cotton on 01/07/2026 and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; the tracker status is 'Introduced.'

Cotton introduced concrete legislation matching the promise, but it remained at introduction/referral stage.

partial same_term A for effort

S.3585 - DATA Act of 2026
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 99%

The bill text states it is 'to amend the Federal Power Act to exempt consumer-regulated electric utilities from Federal regulation' and defines a CREU as a system for new loads that is physically islanded from the bulk-power system.

The introduced bill would have created the customized off-grid regulatory carveout described in the claim, but the text alone does not show enactment.

never same_term A for effort

S.3585 - DATA Act of 2026 Bill Text
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 97%

Assessments

never same_term A for effort

Cotton introduced S.3585, the DATA Act of 2026, and publicly framed it in terms that closely match the promise: removing federal regulatory barriers so energy-intensive users could build islanded, customized electric systems without burdening existing grids or ratepayers. However, the evidence shows the bill was only introduced and referred to committee, with no enactment or implemented federal regulatory change. Because this was a serious legislative attempt toward the promised outcome but did not deliver the policy, the correct adjudication is never with an effort badge.

provider codex_cli · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 97%