Gabe Evans (R-CO)

Ratepayer Protection Act

H.R. 9340 · House bill Energy

A Republican bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 42 cosponsors

Last activity — Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. (CR S5199)

Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up

Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.

The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.

Its path through Congress

  1. Introduced
  2. Passed House 417–3
  3. Awaiting Senate

What this bill would do

This bill is known as the Ratepayer Protection Act. It amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to create a new Federal standard regarding the costs of upgrades for large-load customers. Specifically, it targets non-residential electric consumers that use energy for information technology infrastructure like data storage with a peak demand of 100 megawatts or more. The bill requires that utility rates for these large-load customers cover the full, incremental cost of any necessary upgrades. It also requires these customers to provide financial assurances or contributions before upgrades are made. Additionally, State regulatory authorities and nonregulated electric utilities must consider and make a determination regarding this new standard within specific timeframes.

Yes· 3 of 4

  • Scored +5

    Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?

    The bill protects general ratepayers by ensuring large-load entities cover their own infrastructure costs.

  • Scored +5

    Does this give the federal government more power?

    The bill establishes a new federal standard for utility rate recovery and cost-sharing.

  • Scored +4

    Would households on low incomes be better off under this?

    Reduces the burden on general ratepayers by requiring large users to pay for their own upgrades.

The opposite

  • Scored -5

    Would business owners be better off under this?

    Large-scale non-residential energy consumers face increased costs and financial assurance requirements.

  • Scored -3

    Does this put more rules on large technology companies?

    The bill imposes new cost-recovery obligations on massive IT infrastructure operators.

  • Scored -2

    Does this leave more decisions to the states?

    The bill imposes federal mandates on state regulatory authorities.

What Congress actually voted on

2 recorded votes have been taken on this bill.

  • The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 417 yes · 3 no

    See who voted how →

    09/16/2026 · Roll call 312 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”

  • The Senate: a vote to end debate and allow a final vote In the Senate, debate can continue indefinitely unless 60 senators vote to end it. This vote is that attempt. It decides whether the Senate may vote on the thing at all — not whether the thing passes. A failed cloture vote usually ends the matter without anyone ever voting on its merits. Blocked 57 yes · 43 no

    See who voted how →

    09/30/2026 · Roll call 254 · recorded as “On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 9340”