AI Data Center Rising Energy Consumption Targeted by Democrats

Artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency-mining data centers—fueled by massive amounts of electricity—would have to pay a fee if they exceed a new federal greenhouse gas emission standard under Democratic legislation introduced Friday in the Senate.

The bill, led by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and co-sponsored by Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), seeks to address the environmental impacts of data centers’ increased electricity use and protect ratepayers from any higher energy bills utilities impose to account for the additional demand.

While the legislation faces long odds in the GOP-controlled Senate, it’s the first significant measure this Congress attempting to regulate the Wild ...