Warner Statement on Ratepayer Protection Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement after the Senate did not advance the Ratepayer Protection Act : “Across Virginia and across the country, communities near a data center are being saddled with high utility costs and serious concerns regarding the strain on local natural resources. Unfortunately, the Ratepayer Protection Act falls short because it lacks the enforceable requirements needed to actually protect families from bearing the costs of data center development. “To actually get costs down, increase transparency, and get these data centers to use clean energy we need legislation with real teeth, real requirements, and real consequences. “My Data Center Tax and Accountability Act would require data center builders to provide accurate information about power and water usage, have setbacks from our communities, bring their own power, and get rid of secret, non-disclosure agreements. Communities deserve to know what a data center will bring to their neighborhood and not be swindled by backroom deals. My bill would also condition valuable tax benefits on meeting clean energy standards. “We have a chance to make a difference in the lives of American families and provide them some real relief. We cannot miss the mark on this one. Let’s work on putting some real requirements in place.” ###