This Act may be cited as the Protecting Ratepayers Act.

In this Act: (1) Covered entity The term covered entity means a private company, or other private entity, that— (A) owns, operates, or maintains a data center; or (B) has plans to own, operate, or maintain a data center within the next 5 years. (2) Data center The term data center means a data center, as defined in section 453(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17112(a)U.S. Code — Title 42, Section 17112(a)View official source on GovInfo), with a power demand of 5 megawatts or more. (3) Existing data center The term existing data center means a data center that has begun operations as of the date of enactment of this Act. (4) New data center The term new data center means a data center or planned data center that is not yet operational as of the date of enactment of this Act.

Beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, a covered entity may not build, own, operate, or maintain a new data center or existing data center unless the data center derives all— (1) energy, including back-up energy, from a captive power plant, on-site power generation, or some other source or combination of sources separate from, and not deriving power from, the electric grid; and (2) water, including back-up water, from an on-site water source, or some other water source or combination of sources separate from, and not deriving water from, the public water system.

Proclamation of the President issued on March 9, 2026, titled Ratepayer Protection Pledge (91 Fed. Reg. 11439) shall have the full force and effect of law.