Bills Protecting Ratepayers from Data Center Costs and Incentivizing Sustainable Tech Infrastructure Introduced

Two bills introduced in California aim to protect ratepayers from rising energy costs associated with data centers while promoting sustainable practices. Senate Bill 886 requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a tariff to shield ratepayers from transmission costs, and Senate Bill 887 allows data centers meeting specific criteria to obtain Environmental Leadership Development Project certification, expediting their approval process. The legislation seeks to balance the demands of data centers with the state's climate goals and protect consumers from increased utility bills.