Require data centers to pay for the local transmission upgrades they need and establish rules for managing their grid interconnection.

The Power for the People Act will: Direct FERC to issue a rule to ensure data centers are paying for the local transmission upgrades they require Direct FERC to issue a rule requiring electric grid operators to create a data center load queue Create a system to manage data center interconnection to the grid that would prioritize data centers that: Bring their own new power generation and battery storage systems to the grid; Mitigate pollution; and Create good paying jobs Support efforts to improve accurate data center load forecasting

Tonko introduced legislation requiring data centers to cover grid upgrade costs and to follow new interconnection and load-queue rules.

Tonko Introduces Power for the People Act to Shield Consumers from Rising Energy Costs | U.S. Representative Paul Tonko
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.4-mini

Tonko introduced the Power for the People Act in the House, legislation that ensures data centers are held responsible for the high costs of their electricity demand.

Tonko introduced legislation to make data centers responsible for the electricity costs they impose.

Latest News | U.S. Representative Paul Tonko
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.4-mini

Sec. 4: Data Center Load Queues Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue a rule requiring electric grid operators to create a “data center load queue” system that would prioritize electric grid interconnection for data centers that offset their electricity demand on the electric grid. ... When considering data center load queues, grid operators can delay or deny new data center load interconnection if interconnection would cause grid reliability issues or if it would cause energy affordability issues. Sec. 5: Local Transmission Cost Allocation Directs FERC to issue a rule that ensures that data centers are paying for the local transmission upgrades they are requiring which have been the cause of high electricity costs on ratepayers.

Proposes rules to manage data center interconnection and ensure data centers pay local transmission upgrade costs.

section_by_section_for_power_for_the_people_act.pdf
primary · other · model gpt-5.4-mini

Ensuring that facilities like data centers are paying for their own costs because it’s not fair for their expenses to be pushed onto your household if one opens in your area

Tonko backed a proposal requiring data centers to cover their own energy-related costs.

Tonko, SEEC Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Introduce Energy Bills Relief Act | U.S. Representative Paul Tonko
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.4-mini

introduced the Power for the People Act in the House, legislation that ensures data centers are held responsible for the high costs of their electricity demand

Tonko backed legislation to make data centers bear the electricity-cost burden they create.

Energy & the Environment | U.S. Representative Paul Tonko
secondary · other · model gpt-5.4-mini

"The Power for the People Act will: * Direct FERC to issue a rule to ensure data centers are paying for the local transmission upgrades they require * Direct FERC to issue a rule requiring electric grid operators to create a data center load queue * Create a system to manage data center interconnection to the grid..."

Tonko publicly introduced the bill and described the exact policy ask in House materials, including requiring data centers to pay for local transmission upgrades and creating interconnection/load-queue rules.

unresolved same_term A for effort

Tonko Introduces Power for the People Act to Shield Consumers from Rising Energy Costs | U.S. Representative Paul Tonko
primary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 98%

"TONKO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee ... This Act may be cited as the 'Power for the People Act of 2026'."

The bill text confirms formal introduction in the House and referral to committee, but not enactment or committee action during the lookback window.

unresolved same_term A for effort

G:\M\19\TONKO\TONKO_035.XML
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 95%

"Latest Action: Senate - 01/15/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources... This bill has the status Introduced."

The Senate companion bill remained introduced and referred to committee, indicating the proposal was active but had not advanced to passage or implementation.

unresolved same_term A for effort

All Info - S.3682 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Power for the People Act of 2026 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 96%

FERC is seeking comments on whether large loads and co-located facilities "should pay the full cost of any grid upgrades needed for their interconnection" and how to implement changes to large-load interconnection requests.

FERC opened a proceeding on large-load interconnection and explicitly raised the upgrade-cost question, but this was only a comment-stage ANOPR and not yet a final rule implementing Tonko's ask.

partial same_term A for effort

Interconnection of Large Loads to the Interstate Transmission System (Docket No. RM26-4-000) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 88%

FERC said it "will take action by June 2026" on the ANOPR proceeding designed to ensure the orderly integration of significant electrical loads such as data centers into the transmission infrastructure.

FERC has acknowledged the issue and committed to further action, but as of the lookback window no final rule or binding cost-allocation/interconnection rule had been adopted.

unresolved same_term A for effort

FERC to Act on Large Load Interconnection Docket by June 2026 | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
secondary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 90%