Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
The House is set to consider a bill requiring data centers to pay for their own infrastructure or improvements to prevent power companies from unjustly raising rates as regulating artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key focus of this year’s legislative session.
HB1847 by Rep. Ed Butler (R-Rickman-District 41) states that the cost of a data center’s new or upgraded electrical infrastructure cannot be absorbed or subsidized by a municipal or electric utility except in limited circumstances which are listed in the bill.
The amended language in the bill, which mirrors that of Senate companion SB2128’s amendment, looks different from the original draft which would have specifically clarified that electric companies could not raise rates charged to any residential, industrial, or commercial customers due to increased electric demand from a data center and required power companies to disclose a public report certifying the increase is not attributed to a data center.
But it appears the intent to protect ratepayers and overall effect of the legislation remain the same, as Senate sponsor Brent Taylor stated of the amended version.
“This bill will clarify that cities and counties and electrical utilities, including co-ops and public utilities, cannot use ratepayer money to cover the data center’s required costs, so there’s no subsides for data centers,” he said. “This legislation is designed to protect utility ratepayers from the higher electric bills due to massive data center growth.”
After surviving the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, HB1847 is set for a full floor vote on Monday, April 20.
SB2128 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on also Monday, April 20.
If you support this legislation, use the information below to contact House & Senate members:
House floor (use this tool to find your Representative)- HB1847 to be heard April 20
HB1847 requires AI data centers to pay for their own electrical infrastructure
Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee– SB2128 to be heard April 20
SB2128 requires AI data centers to pay for their own electrical infrastructure
Sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov; sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov; sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov; sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
