Strengthen Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R.9340 / S.5028) in Committee Markup

I am writing as your constituent and a ratepayer to urge you to strengthen the Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R. 9340/S.5028) during committee markup. The current bill takes a necessary step but falls short of actual protection without enforceable requirements. The White House "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" failed because it is voluntary and non-binding. H.R. 9340 risks the same outcome. The bill only requires states to "consider" adopting cost-recovery standards for large data centers, not to actually implement them. This is insufficient. You must push for mandatory implementation with clear federal enforcement authority and consequences for non-compliance. Beyond enforcement, the bill has dangerous gaps. It addresses electricity infrastructure costs but ignores the massive burdens families bear. Data centers deplete aquifers in water-stressed regions and operate diesel generators that emit hundreds of times more pollution than standard power plants. Air quality monitoring and water infrastructure costs should be the data center's responsibility, not yours and mine. The bill should require upfront financial assurances before construction begins, not after utilities incur costs, and should include penalties for contract termination or load reduction that strands investments on ratepayers. The bill also fails to address cumulative rate shock. Some states like North Carolina face 18 percent rate increases from data center buildout. Finally, local governments should retain authority to deny or condition data center siting in water-stressed or polluted areas while federal cost-recovery rules apply. My utility bills are already rising. We need legislation with real teeth, not assurances that disappear when costs spike. I urge you to support H.R. 9340/S.5028 only if markup amendments add genuine enforcement mechanisms, address water and air quality impacts, require upfront bonding, and preserve local siting authority. Oppose any weakened version that creates the illusion of protection while leaving loopholes for costs to flow to households. Ratepayers deserve enforceable protection, not promises. Please act accordingly.