Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) laid out Democrats’ energy policy plans in the event they retake the majority in Congress, with a focus on requiring data centers to “pay their fair share and promote healthy communities” and expanding consumer protections.
On data centers, Schumer said Democrats will push for “strong, enforceable consumer protections” instead of “Trump’s toothless, stupid pledge,” and endorsed the creation of a “prize-based innovation program” for breakthroughs that make data centers more efficient. He also emphasized the need for data centers to “pay their fair share” as part of broader efforts to lower costs and protect consumers.
He also called for speeding up permit approvals for climate-friendly energy sources, upgrading the electric grid, and providing “systematic protection for consumers from rising prices.”
Schumer said Democrats also want to reinstate tax credits for wind and solar power terminated in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and boost credits for geothermal and nuclear energy.
The vision Schumer outlined tracked closely with the Energy Bills Relief Act introduced last Wednesday in the House with 120 Democratic cosponsors.