Expressing the sense of Congress that the Ratepayer Protection Pledge announced on March 4, 2026, reflects sound national policy to protect ratepayers in the United States, promote electricity affordability, and ensure that all people of the United States, including households, small businesses, schools, hospitals, and farms, have access to reliable and affordable energy as artificial intelligence and data center infrastructure expands across the United States.

Summary

States congressional findings about rising U.S. data center electricity use, the local rate impacts of clustered data center development, and existing utility cost allocation rules. Records that on March 4, 2026 several large cloud and AI companies signed a "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" to negotiate separate rate structures with utilities and to pay those rates (including pay‑whether‑used obligations) to avoid shifting infrastructure costs to other customers. The text is purely a statement of facts and contains no binding requirements, appropriations, changes to law, or deadlines.

• Records congressional findings about growing electricity use by data centers and localized grid impacts.
• Notes that traditional utility cost allocation can shift grid upgrade costs to local ratepayers.
• Documents a March 4, 2026 "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" signed by major cloud and AI companies.
• The pledge commits those companies to negotiate separate utility rates and to pay agreed rates, including pay‑whether‑used terms.
• The text is purely a statement of findings and contains no binding legal requirements or funding.
• Does not amend statutes, appropriate funds, impose mandates, or set deadlines.
• Functions as a formal record that could inform future policy but has no immediate regulatory force.