Husted’s Attempt to Tackle His Pro-Data Center Reputation Failed, Again

COLUMBUS, OH— This afternoon, Senate Republicans failed to advance the Ratepayer Protection Act. This is the second time the bill has come to the Senate floor and failed, with the last attempt taking place on September 17th.

Husted has touted the Ratepayer Protection Act in response to growing opposition among Ohio voters on data center development. A leaked memo from the National Republican Senatorial Committee last month warned, “More than any other thing in this race, data centers are the anchor hanging around Husted’s neck.” 

From the outset, experts have noted that the bill is toothless, requiring only that states “consider” a framework for how data centers should pay for energy production and grid upgrades. Even Husted’s colleague, Sen. Thom Tillis, told a reporter the bill would do nothing beyond being a message bill. 

Unchecked data center development has surged energy demand. In Ohio, utility bills are up 25% under Trump and Ohio Republicans, with the state reaching new highs on electricity bills and Ohioans’ bills predicted to increase an additional $70 per month by 2028 thanks to data centers.

Climate Power Senior Advisor Jesse Lee issued the following statement: 

“Husted’s data center bill is fake, but his vote for billions in data center tax breaks was very real. Husted got a free trial run as a Senator, and he used it to support unchecked data center development in Ohio and gut Ohio’s clean energy supply – which is exactly why Ohio utility bills are up 25 percent on his watch. Ohio voters won’t fall for campaign-season posturing from Jon Husted on data centers, especially when data center salesman-in-chief President Trump is on his way to campaign for Husted this week. Maybe Senator Husted agrees with Trump that Ohio communities concerned about data centers are just ‘backwards and poor.’”

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