Clean Cloud Act of 2025
Clean Cloud Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Clean Cloud Act of 2025 - Summary **What It Does:** The Clean Cloud Act would regulate large data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities by imposing a fee system based on their electricity emissions. Starting in 2027, the EPA and Energy Information Administration would measure how much greenhouse gas pollution is created by the electricity these facilities use. Facilities exceeding certain size thresholds would be charged fees if their emissions are higher than regional baselines. The collected fees would be reinvested in clean energy projects, including renewable electricity generation, energy storage systems, and programs to reduce residential electricity bills. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily targets large-scale data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations—facilities that consume significant amounts of electricity.
It could indirectly affect consumers and businesses that use cloud computing services, as companies might pass along costs. It could also benefit communities through funded clean energy projects and lower residential electricity costs. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it's in the early legislative stage and has not yet been voted on by the full House. Like most bills at this stage, it faces an uncertain path forward and would need committee approval and broader congressional support to advance.
CRS Official Summary
Clean Cloud Act of 2025This bill establishes an emissions standard and fee system regarding the electricity used by data centers or cryptomining facilities that exceed a specified size. Additionally, the bill appropriates collected fees for various purposes, including to fund zero-carbon electricity generation, long-duration energy storage, and grants to lower residential electricity consumer costs.The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Energy Information Administration to annually determine the greenhouse gas emission intensity of the total annual electricity consumed by (1) covered facilities from the electric grid, and (2) covered facilities from electricity generation assets located behind the power meter of the facilities.The EPA must determine and publish the greenhouse gas emissions intensities of the electric grid of each region to establish a baseline for the assessment of fees. Each calendar year from 2027 through 2034, the baseline for each region is reduced by 11% of the original baseline. For 2035 and after, the baseline is set to zero emissions.The EPA must assess a fee on (1) owners of any electric utility providing power to a covered facility that exceeds the baseline emissions in that region for that year, and (2) covered facilities with respect to the greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation assets located behind the power meter of the facility above the baseline of the region for that year. The electric utilities may not recoup the cost of the fee by raising rates or assessing fees on customers that are not covered facilities.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.