Congress targets data centers and crypto mining with carbon fees, protecting residential ratepayers
S. 1475 — Clean Cloud Act of 2025 · Filed by Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Apr 10, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill amends the Clean Air Act to require data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities (those using more than 100 kilowatts of power) to report their annual electricity consumption and energy sources to the EPA. Starting in 2026, the bill imposes escalating fees on utilities and facility owners whose electricity comes from high-carbon sources, with fees rising annually and reaching zero-carbon requirements by 2035. Revenue from these fees funds administration (3%), residential electricity cost relief (25%), and clean energy development grants (70%).
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is a carbon-intensity fee on high-energy data centers and crypto mining, paired with mandatory emissions reporting and revenue recycling into clean energy and consumer relief. It is regulatory (not a subsidy or carve-out) and explicitly environmental in purpose.
What the text implies
- The bill's definition of 'covered facility' (>100 kW) may exclude smaller crypto mining operations and edge data centers, creating a compliance gap for distributed infrastructure.
- The 36-month lookback for power purchase agreements and renewable asset commissioning may incentivize rushed deployment of renewable capacity to qualify for favorable emissions accounting, potentially reducing project quality or due diligence.
The full analysis lists 5 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
renewable energy developers (solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear); energy storage manufacturers and operators; states and municipalities receiving consumer relief grants