Smucker Backs Bill to Protect Ratepayers from Data Center Energy Costs

Image September 16, 2026 Press Release Smucker Says: “Data Centers Should Pay Their Own Way” WASHINGTON —Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) voted in favor of the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, H.R. 9340, legislation to protect families and small businesses from being forced to shoulder the infrastructure costs created by new data center development. The legislation was adopted by a bipartisan vote of 417-3. “America should lead the world in artificial intelligence, but we must ensure hardworking families and small businesses are not asked to subsidize the enormous energy demands of data centers,” said Rep. Smucker. “The principle is simple: data centers should be located in communities that choose to host them, those communities should share in the economic benefits they bring, and the data centers should pay their own way. The Ratepayer Protection Act will help ensure the companies driving the need for costly new energy infrastructure bear those costs, not existing ratepayers.” The legislation would require state utility commissions to consider standards ensuring data centers drawing more than 100 megawatts of power cover the full incremental costs of generation, transmission, and distribution upgrades needed to serve them. The approach preserves states’ authority over their electricity markets and protects families and small businesses. # # # Issues : Economy & Jobs Energy & Environment Infrastructure