Bill > H7331

This bill requires that any "data center," defined as a facility using computer servers and related equipment for storing, processing, or transmitting digital information with an electricity demand of 50 megawatts or greater, must pay for all costs associated with the electricity infrastructure needed to serve them, including planning, construction, expansion, operation, and maintenance of generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. These costs cannot be passed on to residential or non-data center commercial customers, and electric companies must create specific rate classes or contracts for these data centers. The bill also mandates that the Energy Facility Siting Board consult with the Public Utilities Commission on ratepayer impacts and cost allocation for such facilities and may condition approvals on the Public Utilities Commission's approval of cost recovery mechanisms. Additionally, data centers will be required to annually report their water usage, cooling technologies, and recycling practices to the Department of Environmental Management, which may also require water efficiency plans and financial assurance for site restoration.

Business and Industry

https://status.rilegislature.gov/