Bill adds a fee on data centers to help poor people.

What it does

The bill creates a fee that data center operators must pay. Starting in 2027, they pay $0.01 for each kilowatt-hour of power. Starting in 2028, data centers using high-carbon power pay an extra $0.05 per kilogram of carbon. Money from the fee goes to states and tribes. States and tribes use the money to help poor people pay power bills. They also use it to make buildings use less power and fix the power grid.

Who it affects

Data center operators will pay the new fee. They may raise prices for cloud services. Poor people will get help paying power bills.

One thing to notice

Data centers might move to states with cheaper clean power to avoid the fee. The bill does not limit total charges or phase them in.

From the analysis of the bill text, linked under Primary records below.

Where it stands

• Sep 16, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Sep 16, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Words to know

• data center — A large building full of computers that store and process information for the internet.
• kilowatt-hour — A measure of how much power something uses over time.
• carbon — Pollution released when fuel is burned to make power or run machines.
• power grid — The system of lines and equipment that sends power to homes and businesses.