Senate Democrats block bill to cut data center electricity costs

Photo: panumas nikhomkhai / Pexels Senate Democrats have blocked a Republican-backed bill aimed at reducing electricity costs linked to data centers, a significant issue in the upcoming elections. The bill, which had passed the House with overwhelming support, was intended to shift more of the grid upgrade costs to the data centers themselves. The measure was stalled in the Senate after a unanimous-consent attempt was blocked, with Democrats arguing that the proposal did not go far enough. This development leaves the legislation in limbo and suggests that federal action on data-center-driven electricity costs may not advance without broader bipartisan support. The political impasse has impacted prediction markets concerning the likelihood of Texas enacting a data center moratorium by the end of 2026. Observers note a marked decrease in the probability of such a moratorium, reflecting the absence of immediate legislative momentum. Markets appear to interpret the Senate blockage as reducing the odds of regulatory action in Texas, as indicated by a significant drop in the probability percentages. The market for a potential Texas data center moratorium by December 31, 2026, has seen a ...