Robert E. Latta

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Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, the chairman of the full Committee on Energy and Commerce, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, led by the gentleman from Colorado's Eighth Congressional District. This legislation passed out of our Energy and Commerce Committee with a 52-0 vote. Mr. Speaker, the goal here is very simple: Data centers should pay their own way. That is why this legislation is so important. We must ensure that American families and small businesses are protected from electricity price increases caused by large loads like data centers. The increase in data center development raises important questions about how these facilities will affect local electric grids in nearby communities. H.R. 9340 encourages States to establish a standard that requires large data centers to cover the full costs necessary to service their loads. Over the last 5 years, electricity rates have steadily increased across the country. While data center demand growth is exploding, at the same time, record amounts of baseload generation are prematurely leaving our grids. This is a problem that must be addressed. H.R. 9340 ensures that States can hold AI companies responsible for their own costs and that hardworking American families aren't on the hook for the bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to pass the Ratepayer Protection Act.