S.1475 - Clean Cloud Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Clean Cloud Act of 2025 aims to amend the Clean Air Act by establishing requirements for electricity consumption data collection and emissions standards for data centers and cryptomining facilities. It mandates annual data collection on energy consumption from covered facilities and electric utilities serving them. The bill also introduces emissions performance standards and assesses fees on utilities and covered facilities exceeding regional baselines.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase the operational costs for data centers and cryptomining facilities that do not meet the specified emissions standards. It will also incentivize the use of renewable energy sources and promote energy efficiency within these industries. The collected fees will be used to support programs that lower residential electricity costs and fund research and development of zero-carbon electricity generation and long-duration energy storage assets.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency regarding energy consumption and emissions from data centers and cryptomining facilities.
- Incentivizes the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures.
- Funds programs to lower residential electricity consumer energy costs.
- Supports research, development, and deployment of zero-carbon electricity generation and long-duration energy storage assets.
- Could lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased operational costs for data centers and cryptomining facilities, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers.
- Potential for businesses to relocate to areas with less stringent regulations.
- The complexity of data collection and reporting requirements may create administrative burdens.
- The fees imposed on utilities could indirectly affect consumers if not properly managed, despite the pass-through limitations.
- The act may disproportionately affect smaller cryptomining operations with limited resources.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Clean Cloud Act of 2025 aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) by regulating activities that affect interstate commerce, such as electricity generation and data transmission. The Act's focus on environmental protection and emissions reduction also aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution's preamble, which aims to 'promote the general Welfare'. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or liberties.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).