WASHINGTON (AP) — The House overwhelmingly approved a bill Wednesday that aims to have artificial intelligence data centers pay for their substantial energy needs as lawmakers used what was expected to be their final day in Washington before the midterm elections to address a growing voter concern.
The legislation would require state utility regulators to consider a standard by which utilities charge data centers for the full cost of the new power and transmission upgrades needed to serve them. The bill passed by a vote of 417-3.
Supporters of the bill described the legislation as a “modest first start” in protecting families and businesses from higher utility bills. It essentially provides a federal recommendation while preserving state power to regulate electricity markets.
“I promise that this bill is not the end of our focus on these issues. It's only the beginning,” said Rep. Frank Pallone, the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Some lawmakers are calling for a full moratorium on AI data centers until safeguards are put in place that ensure AI is safe and effective and that the data centers don't increase utility prices or harm the environment. Meanwhile, more than 100 Democrats signed onto a letter this week that called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to keep the House in session this month until Congress advances meaningful artificial intelligence safeguards.
Johnson said the bill that passed the House "strikes the right balance of protecting local communities while keeping America on the cutting edge of AI development.”
The debate over the bill offered different views on the merits of data centers. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said the development of a data center in Richland Parish in his home state generated bonuses of up to $50,000 for local teachers as a result of increased tax collections.
“Those are the stories you're seeing in communities that have embraced it,” Scalise said.
But Pallone said Americans have real concerns about what data centers will mean for them, adding that President Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders have swept those concerns to the side. He noted that Trump posted on social media that communities opposed to data centers must want to end up being “backwards and poor.”
“The president in my opinion is out of touch on this issue and the American people are demanding action,” Pallone said.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans are extremely or very concerned about data centers' impact on energy prices and 57% are extremely or very concerned about the impact on water supplies, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.
Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., the bill’s sponsor, said the U.S. can either build out its power systems to meet demand or become dependent on countries like China for its digital infrastructure.
“We cannot accelerate this growth on the back of Americans working hard to pay their electric bills at the end of the month,” Evans said.
Meta data centers operate, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, near Social Circle, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is expected to miss at least two months after undergoing surgery on his injured left ankle.
Stribling got hurt in the season opener last week against the Los Angeles Rams and coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he opted for surgery. Shanahan said Stribling would go on injured reserve later this week and was expected to miss about 10 weeks.
The 49ers also placed backup tight end Jake Tonges on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury that required surgery on a torn MCL. Tonges had 34 catches for 293 yards and five TDs last season.
Stribling was San Francisco's top draft pick in April when he went 33rd overall with the top pick in the second round. He shined immediately in training camp and the preseason and was expected to make a big impact this season.
But now those plans have been derailed after he went down with the injury.
“He was hoping that it wouldn’t be as bad as it was,” Shanahan said. “He had such a good week of practice, had such a good training camp. I know he was just down, but it’ll pass. He’ll be back and he’ll be good to go when he gets back.”
Stribling initially hurt his ankle early in the game last week but returned. He then came up limping after running a route in the second quarter and left the game on a cart. He was quickly ruled out for the game after playing 21 offensive snaps with no targets.
The 49ers were counting heavily on Stribling, especially after expected starter Ricky Pearsall underwent season-ending knee surgery this summer. Stribling had 11 catches for 109 yards in brief action in his first two preseason games to solidify a starting role alongside veteran Mike Evans.
“It’s always tough when you lose two of your main guys, but I think we have as good a depth as anyone in the league,” Shanahan said. "It’s fortunate that he’s not gone for the year like Ricky. We will get him back, but we have the people to still hold it down while he’s gone.”
Stribling's absence will give more time to Deebo Samuel and Demarcus Robinson, who both caught touchdown passes in the opener. Jordan Watkins, who was inactive in the opener, also could get more chances going forward.
Stribling was durable in college, playing every game in four of his five seasons. He did miss 10 games with a hand injury in 2023.
The Niners have signed tight end Brayden Willis and receiver KhaDarel Hodge from the practice squad to fill two open roster spots.
Willis will be the third tight end behind starter George Kittle and Luke Ferrell. He has played 23 career games, appearing mostly on special teams. He has 86 offensive snaps and hasn't caught a pass since being drafted in the seventh round in 2023.
Hodge is in his ninth season in the NFL and has been mostly a special teams player. He was promoted for the opener and played 12 snaps on special teams.
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San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges leaves the field after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'zhaun Stribling (7) sits on the field after being injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
