House Passes Measures on Data Center Utility Rates and Penny Minting

The House has approved separate legislative measures addressing utility rate regulations and federal currency, according to reporting from Utility Dive and Payments Dive.

On energy regulation, Utility Dive reported that the chamber passed a ratepayer protection bill intended to curb cost shifts stemming from data centers. ClearView Energy Partners indicated the measure would support an ongoing movement across states adopting large-load tariffs, though the firm viewed Senate approval before the midterm elections as improbable.

In a separate vote, the chamber approved the Common Cents bill, which formally halts penny production and permits retailers to round cash purchases to the nearest five-cent increment, according to Payments Dive. The outlet reported that pennies are already no longer being produced and noted that this marked the second time the chamber has taken up the legislation.