The House passed a bill on Wednesday.

It aims to make artificial intelligence data centers pay for their large energy needs.

The vote was 417-3.

This was expected to be lawmakers' last day in Washington before the midterm elections.

The bill would require state utility regulators to consider a standard.

Data centers would pay the full cost of new power and transmission upgrades needed to serve them.

Supporters called the bill a "modest first start."

They said it would protect families and businesses from higher utility bills.

It amounts to a federal recommendation.

It keeps state power to regulate electricity markets.

Rep. Frank Pallone is the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

He said the bill is only the beginning of the focus on these issues.

Some lawmakers want a full moratorium on AI data centers until safeguards are in place.

More than 100 Democrats signed a letter this week.

They asked House Speaker Mike Johnson to keep the House in session.

They want Congress to advance meaningful AI safeguards.

Johnson said the bill "strikes the right balance."

He said it protects local communities and keeps America at the cutting edge of AI development.

The debate showed different views on data centers.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said a data center in Richland Parish in his home state produced bonuses of up to $50,000 for local teachers.

This came through increased tax collections.

Pallone said Americans have real concerns.

He said President Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders have pushed those concerns aside.

A new poll came from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.

It found nearly two-thirds of Americans are extremely or very concerned about data centers' impact on energy prices.

Also, 57% are extremely or very concerned about the impact on water supplies.

Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., is the bill's sponsor.

He said the U.S. can either build out its power systems to meet demand or depend on countries like China for its digital infrastructure.