Skip to content
Congress·In Committee·11 months ago

Senate Bill Targets Data Centers and Crypto Miners With Emissions Fees Starting in 2026

Also known as: Clean Cloud Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impacts

Negative Impacts(1)
Cryptocurrency Investor
Hurts
Mixed Impacts(4)
Housing Assistance
Neutral
Homeowner
Neutral
Renter
Neutral
Union Member
Neutral

Key Points

  • Targets large data centers and crypto mining sites over 100 kilowatts, requiring yearly reporting on power use and where their electricity comes from.
  • EPA and the Energy Information Administration would collect the data, then publish basic details like facility location, owner, and the share of power from sources like wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and gas.
  • Starting in 2026, utilities and facility owners could pay fees if the electricity used for these sites is dirtier than a regional emissions baseline; utilities can’t pass those fees to regular customers.
  • The emissions baseline would tighten each year and is set to reach zero by 2035, pushing facilities toward cleaner, around-the-clock electricity.
  • Money from fees would help run the program, fund efforts to lower household electric bills (like rebates), and support grants/loans for steady zero-carbon power and long-duration energy storage.
Climate ChangeEnvironmentEnergyCryptocurrencyArtificial Intelligence

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Apr 10, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Apr 10, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the law takes effect; first annual reporting cycle would begin as soon as EPA/EIA set up the process

EPA and the Energy Information Administration start yearly data collection from covered data centers and cryptomining facilities and from serving utilities

Large facilities may need new tracking, paperwork, and proof about where their electricity comes from; utilities must report usage and power-mix details

Related News

4 articles
Axios·11 months ago

Whitehouse introduces bill setting marker on AI data center power

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse introduced the Clean Cloud Act to address rising emissions from AI data centers and crypto operations. The bill establishes reporting requirements and an emissions-based fee structure for facilities over 100 kW, aiming to incentivize clean energy investment.

C=
The Block·11 months ago

'Clean Cloud Act' draft bill requires crypto miners to cut emissions or face fines

A draft bill dubbed the 'Clean Cloud Act of 2025' seeks to curb emissions from crypto mining and AI data centers. It would require facilities with more than 100 kW of capacity to meet regional emissions caps that lower by 11% annually until reaching zero in 2035.

C=
Memphis Flyer·3 months ago

Clean Cloud Act Could Bring Emission Standards to Data Centers, Crypto Miners

Rep. Steve Cohen filed the 'Clean Cloud Act' to establish air emissions baselines for high-demand energy users like data centers. The law would require annual reports on electricity consumption and sources, preventing utilities from passing pollution fees to residential customers.

CL=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Clean Cloud Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 1475
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.