Senators next to consider data center regulations to protect ratepayers

(The Center Square) – Protection of families, small businesses and taxpayers from utility rate increases attached to data center development and energy policy mandates cleared North Carolina’s House of Representatives this week with support from two Democrats and two independents formerly Democrats.

No Republicans were against Ratepayer Protection Act, known also as Senate Bill 730. Senators are back in session this week, with Tuesday the first day of committee meetings.

The bill, supporters say, will protect ratepayers from subsidizing data centers. It’s also intended to support affordable, reliable energy for future generations.

Passage was 69-44. Among the ayes were Democratic Reps. Pricey Harrison of Guilford County and Shelly Willingham of Edgecombe County, and Mecklenburg County independent Reps. Carla Cunningham and Nasif Majeed.

The bill was initially filed and made it through the crossover deadline last spring known as the Expand CEPS/Nuclear and Hydro...