Legislation would regulate data centers in R.I.

Jacquelyn Voghel

02/13/2026

Trump AI Energy Explainer — SOME RHODE ISLAND state legislators have introduced a measure this General Assembly session intended to regulate new power-hungry data centers in the state to ensure that their presence would not raise utility bills for residents and other businesses. The pictured data center is located in Oregon. / AP FILE PHOTO/JENNY KANE

Changing attitudes toward data centers used by tech companies to support artificial intelligence and cloud computing are coming into focus at the Statehouse. A year after proposed legislation incentivizing the construction of new data centers failed to pass the General Assembly, legislators are now considering a measure to limit their effect on the state’s power

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