Javier Palomarez, USHBC President & CEO, Commends House Passage of Ratepayer Protection Act

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 17, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The United States Hispanic Business Council applauds the recent House vote, and announces its endorsement, of the Ratepayer Protection Act. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill with bipartisan support. This bill, led by Representatives Gabe Evans (R-CO) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Senator Jon Husted (R-OH), would establish proposed standards for state utility regulators to protect existing ratepayers from costs associated with connecting new large-load customers with a demand of 100 megawatts or more, including data centers, to the grid.

Javier Palomarez, USHBC President and CEO, released the following statement:

“I commend Representatives Evans and Castor and Senator Husted for engaging in a bipartisan manner to find common-sense solutions to problems faced by American families and small businesses. With rising electricity costs being amplified in some communities by the data center buildout, low to middle income American families and small business owners continue to bear the burdensome costs of a boom they don’t feel they’re sharing in. This bill is a win-win: it is designed so that American AI companies can still innovate and obtain the infrastructure they need to do so while protecting Main Street from footing the bill.”

The USHBC is proud to have a long record of supporting legislation that balances promoting innovation and economic growth with the everyday needs of small business owners. The bill shares the goals of the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, a voluntary commitment which many major technology and utility companies have already signed on to, covering roughly 80% of the power delivered to Americans.

Palomarez continued by saying:

“This bill makes sure that communities don’t lose out on the hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue that data center projects generate while keeping as much money as possible in the pockets of taxpayers. It’s a simple, clear-cut solution that already has the backing of the industry’s top leaders. I look forward to seeing the Senate finish the job in the near future.”

The USHBC remains committed to working with Congress and the White House to see the Ratepayer Protection Act signed into law, and to always backing America’s small businesses by advocating for policies that lower costs, cut red tape, and let them compete on a level playing field.

For more information about the USHBC’s policy priorities, read about our vision for bolstering American production, innovation, and jobs and ensuring affordable energy.

To learn more, follow @myushbc and @JPalomarez on X.
Visit ushbc.com/join to become a member today.

About the USHBC
Javier Palomarez is the President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Business Council (USHBC). The United States Hispanic Business Council (USHBC) is the leading voice for the Hispanic business community. A 501(c)6 non-profit organization, the USHBC focuses on improving access to contracting in the public and private sectors, fair representation of Hispanics in business, media, and politics, and ensuring Hispanics have a voice in the national dialogue. The USHBC is a nonpartisan organization.

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