Loading chat...

RI S2776

Bill

Status

Introduced

3/4/2026

Primary Sponsor

Louis Dipalma

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Defines "data center" as a facility with electric demand of 50 megawatts or greater at a single site that stores, processes, or transmits digital information using computer servers

  • Requires data centers to exclusively bear all costs for planning, construction, expansion, operation, and maintenance of electric generation, transmission, or distribution facilities needed to serve them

  • Prohibits recovery of data center infrastructure costs from residential customers or non-data center commercial customers through dedicated rate classes, tariffs, or contracts established by electric distribution companies

  • Mandates annual water use disclosure to the Department of Environmental Management, including average and peak daily water withdrawal, cooling technologies used, and recycling practices

  • Authorizes the Department of Environmental Management to require water efficiency plans as permit conditions and financial assurance for site restoration if a data center is abandoned or ceases operations

Legislative Description

Requires that certain data centers requiring large amounts of electricity be required to fund the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements to supply such electricity.

Public Utilities And Carriers

Last Action

Committee recommended measure be held for further study

3/10/2026

Committee Referrals

Commerce3/4/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available