Lawmakers in Virginia, Ohio, and at the federal level are moving this week to force data centers to cover the massive infrastructure costs they require.
As the AI boom fuels a surge in facility construction, residential utility bills are skyrocketing to pay for the high-voltage lines and substations these centers need. In Virginia, a new tariff now requires tech firms to post $1.5 million in collateral per megawatt to protect taxpayers if a project fails or closes early. Proponents argue that multi-billion dollar tech giants should not be subsidized by families, while industry advocates worry that aggressive fees might stifle local digital growth.
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to revisit specific federal regulatory frameworks regarding these 'stranded costs' later this month.
.Here are the top political news stories for today.
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