SB 1168: Data centers: rate structures.

The bill aims to impose surcharges on data centers for natural gas and electricity consumption. These surcharges would fund wildfire-related costs and support low-income assistance programs. The surcharges would be set by the state energy commission and collected by gas and electric utilities. Data centers that consume natural gas or electricity for primary use would be required to pay the surcharges. Exemptions would be available for data centers that meet specific criteria. The revenues collected from surcharges would be deposited into a special fund, with a portion going to support wildfire-related costs and another portion supporting low-income assistance programs. The bill would require the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to administer the taxes imposed by the surcharges. The bill would also require the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for…