Senate Democrats block datacenter energy bill

Republicans supported legislation although Democrats said it wouldn’t effectively address energy consumption

Senate Democrats on Wednesday blocked legislation intended to offset the impact of datacenters on consumer electricity bills, which has emerged as a top voter concern ahead of November’s midterm elections.

The Ratepayer Protection Act failed by a 57 to 43 vote, falling just shy of the 60-vote margin needed to advance through the Republican-controlled chamber. The House of Representatives had approved the bill by an almost unanimous vote earlier this month September.