SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon House approved a bill that would set up a separate pricing system for huge electricity users like data centers , making them cover costs that the bill's sponsors say that residents are picking up instead.

House Bill 3564 is called the “Power Act,” which stands for “Protecting Oregonians With Energy Responsibility.” Electricity users who use more than 20 megawatts would be designated as a “large energy use facility” by the Public Utility Commission. That facility must then cover those costs accordingly. The facility must also enter into a contract that promises it will pay off utilities’ investment in new resources.

One of the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Janeen Sollman, D.-Forest Grove, said this week that it's time that data centers need to pay their fair share.

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