The legislation cleared the House with overwhelming support, but it still faces approval by the Senate and the signature of the President before becoming law.
The bill is designed to address soaring electricity rates in regions where data‑center construction is booming. Under the proposal, operators of AI data centers that consume 100 megawatts or more would be required to pay for the construction of new power plants, transmission lines and related infrastructure, rather than spreading those costs across all ratepayers, CNBC reported.
Lawmakers argue that the current electric grid was not built to handle the rapid surge in demand from AI‑focused facilities, and that residents in affected areas have been increasingly dissatisfied with higher utility bills.
If enacted, the act could create a new market for nuclear power, especially small modular reactors (SMRs) that promise faster deployment than traditional plants. AI firms have already shown interest in SMRs as a reliable, long‑term power source for their data centers.
Analysts note that nuclear‑related stocks such as Oklo Inc., which sells SMRs directly to AI companies, and NuScale Power, which focuses on utility partnerships, could benefit. Other energy firms with nuclear exposure—including Vistra Corp., GE Vernova Inc. and Bloom Energy Corp.—may also see upside as data centers seek independent power solutions.
The bill’s passage in the House reflects broad bipartisan concern over the fiscal impact of AI‑driven data‑center expansion, but its ultimate fate will depend on Senate deliberations and any amendments that may be added before a presidential signature.