Data Center Fairness Fee Act of 2026

The Data Center Fairness Fee Act of 2026 imposes a $0.01 per kilowatt-hour charge on large data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities with more than 50 megawatts of installed capacity, starting in 2027. Beginning in 2028, facilities that draw electricity with an average carbon intensity greater than 0.10 will face an additional $0.05 per kilogram charge for associated greenhouse gas emissions. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish reporting rules and allocate collected funds to states and Indian tribes. These funds must be used for energy assistance programs, grid efficiency improvements, or initiatives that reduce residential utility bills and peak electricity demand.