Georgia Senate Skips Vote on Bill to Block Data Center Costs from Hitting Power Bills

Senate Bill 34 aimed to prohibit utilities from charging residential customers and small businesses for costs associated with powering large commercial data centers.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Georgia Senate adjourned on Thursday without voting on a bill that would have prevented electric utilities from passing data center infrastructure costs onto residential customers. Senate Bill 34 was intended to prohibit Georgia Power and other utilities from charging residential customers and small businesses for costs related to powering large commercial data centers, but the version that reached the Senate floor had been weakened in committee.

Why it matters

This issue is significant as Georgia Power customers have seen their bills increase by an average of $43 per month since 2023 due to rate hikes tied to grid expansion. With data centers projected to account for 80% of Georgia Power's increased energy demand over the next decade, consumer advocates argue that without legal protections, there is a risk of these costs being passed on to regular ratepayers.

The details

Senate Bill 34 was sponsored by Republican State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, who said the version that reached the Senate floor had been weakened in committee. Hufstetler planned to introduce an amendment to restore protections for ratepayers, but the Senate adjourned before he had the chance. State Sen. Harold Jones, the Senate minority leader, said Republicans lacked the votes to defeat the amendment and that's why they adjourned to avoid the likely defeat.

  • The Georgia Senate adjourned on Thursday, February 27, 2026 without voting on Senate Bill 34.
  • Since 2023, Georgia Power customers have seen their bills increase by an average of $43 per month due to rate hikes tied to grid expansion.

The players

Chuck Hufstetler

A Republican state senator from Rome, Georgia who sponsored Senate Bill 34.

Harold Jones

A Democratic state senator from Augusta, Georgia and the Senate minority leader.

Georgia Power

The largest electric utility in Georgia, which projects that data centers will account for 80% of its increased energy demand over the next decade.

Amy Sharma

The executive director of Science for Georgia, a non-profit organization.

Connie DiCicco

The legislative director for Georgia Conservation Voters.

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What they’re saying

“We don't want customers being held hostage. If the AI bubble goes away, who pays for it?”

— Chuck Hufstetler, State Senator (Atlanta News First)

“If they had the votes, they wouldn't have to adjourn. They would have loved to do it.”

— Harold Jones, Senate Minority Leader (Atlanta News First)

“My power bill has doubled. Normal hardworking Georgians — their power bills are through the roof right now already.”

— Amy Sharma, Executive Director, Science for Georgia (Atlanta News First)

“The holdup here is, frankly, it's a lot of lobbying, and it's a lot of corporate interests.”

— Connie DiCicco, Legislative Director, Georgia Conservation Voters (Atlanta News First)

What’s next

It remains unclear when or if the bill will return for a vote in the Georgia Senate.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the tension between the growing power demands of the technology sector, represented by data centers, and the impact on residential ratepayers who are already facing significant increases in their electricity bills. The failure to pass this bill raises questions about the influence of corporate lobbying and the ability of lawmakers to protect consumers from bearing the costs of infrastructure needed to support the tech industry's expansion.