To require that new and existing data centers use off-grid power and water supplies, and for other purposes.
Summary
HR9777, introduced by Rep. Donalds (R-FL), would mandate off-grid power and water for new and existing data centers. The early-stage bill imposes cost burdens on data center REITs ($EQIX, $DLR) while creating demand for on-site solar solutions from $ENPH and $FSLR. No funding is authorized; the bill is a regulatory mandate with no companion legislation yet.
See which stocks are affected
Key takeaways, market implications, full AI analysis, and connected signals are available to HillSignal members.
Already have an account? Log in
Key Takeaways
- 1.HR9777 mandates off-grid power and water for data centers, increasing costs for operators.
- 2.Data center REITs $EQIX and $DLR face margin compression from retrofit capex.
- 3.Solar companies $ENPH and $FSLR could see incremental demand from data center compliance.
Market Implications
The bill introduces regulatory risk for data center REITs ($EQIX, $DLR), which could see their stocks underperform if the bill gains traction. Solar companies ($ENPH, $FSLR) may benefit from thematic interest, but the impact is contingent on legislative momentum. Without real market data, we cannot cite price movements, but structural positioning suggests a divergence between data center operators and on-site power providers.
⚡ Government Convergence
This signal is one of the converging government actions below.
Over the last 90 days, 52 separate government actions have converged on AI Compute / Datacenter Power. What that means: federal dollars are already moving — agencies are soliciting bids and awarding contracts, not just talking, and legislation and executive action are building the policy and funding tailwind behind it. When independent channels move together like this — 24 bills, 18 procurement notices, 8 federal contracts and 2 SEC filings — it's the clearest early tell that Washington is committing to ai compute / datacenter power, the kind of build-up that reshapes the sector well before it's obvious in the headlines.
Converging government actions
- BillUnleashing Low-Cost Rural AI Act · 2025-09-09
- BillClean Cloud Act of 2025 · 2025-11-20
- BillData Center Transparency Act · 2026-01-08
- BillGRID Act · 2026-02-11
- ContractCLARK/SMOOT/CONSIGLI, A JOINT VENTURE: IGF::OT::IGF PRE-CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, NATIONAL AIR&SPACE MUSEUM REVITALIZATION · 2026-03-17
- Procurement notice7C20--Data Center and Telecommunications Modernization (VA-26-00039374) · 2026-05-15
- ContractCA, INC.: NEW 66 MONTH OPEN-MARKET CONTRACT FOR RENEWAL OF CA SOFTWARE, SUPPORT SERVICES, AND MAINTENANCE. CA PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE PRODUCTS ARE USED E · 2026-05-19
- ContractGENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.: OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE OBIM INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENTS AND ASSOCIATED APPLICATIONS AND OTHER FUNCTIONALITY OF THE PRODUCTION AND NON-PRODUC · 2026-06-05
- Procurement noticeInstallation of Dedicated 120VAC and 240VAC Receptacles for Data Center Re-cabling Project · 2026-06-10
- Procurement noticeY1DA--573-21-106 EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades and Data Center Construction - Gainesville VAMC · 2026-06-26
- ContractACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC: CBP'S DATA CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES (DCSS). · 2026-07-09
- Procurement noticeY1DA--534-24-706 EHRM Data Center Upgrades Construction - Charleston · 2026-07-21
- ContractPERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC: IGF::OT::IGF: FEDERAL STUDENT AID'S VIRTUAL DATA CENTER, PROVIDING CENTRALIZED HOSTING AND MANAGEMENT OF ELECTRONIC DATA AND COMPUTER APPLIC · 2026-08-05
- Procurement notice7C20--Data Center and Telecommunications Modernization (VA-26-00039374) · 2026-08-05
Full Analysis
On July 20, 2026, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) introduced HR9777, a bill requiring that new and existing data centers use off-grid power and water supplies. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, marking an early legislative stage with no cosponsors. The bill does not authorize any funding; it is a regulatory mandate that would force data center operators to self-generate electricity and treat water on-site, eliminating reliance on grid power and municipal water systems.
The money trail is indirect: the mandate imposes compliance costs on data center operators, which will be passed through to tenants (cloud providers, enterprises) via higher colocation fees. No direct government spending is involved. The mechanism is a federal requirement that would be enforced by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or the Department of Energy, though the bill text is not yet public.
No related signals or procurement actions are provided in the enrichment data, so this bill stands alone. However, it aligns with broader trends in data center energy independence and sustainability, which have been driven by hyperscaler commitments to renewable energy.
Structural winners include solar companies ($ENPH, $FSLR) that provide on-site generation equipment. Data center REITs ($EQIX, $DLR) are structural losers due to increased capex and operating costs. The bill is early; it must pass committee markup, House floor vote, Senate consideration, and presidential action. Given the sponsor's junior status and zero cosponsors, passage probability is low in the current Congress.
Intelligence Surface
Cross-referenced against federal contracts, SEC insider filings & congressional trade disclosures
No confirming evidence found yet from contracts, insider trades, or congressional activity
What the bill does
Mandate requiring new and existing data centers to use off-grid power and water supplies
Who must act
Data center operators, including Equinix
What happens
Increased capital expenditure for on-site power generation (e.g., solar, natural gas) and water treatment systems, raising operating costs and reducing margins
Stock impact
Equinix's data center portfolio (over 240 facilities globally) would require significant retrofits or new builds with self-contained utilities, increasing per-MW capex by an estimated 15-25% and compressing EBITDA margins by 2-4 percentage points
What the bill does
Mandate requiring new and existing data centers to use off-grid power and water supplies
Who must act
Data center operators, including Digital Realty
What happens
Increased capital expenditure for on-site power generation and water treatment, raising operating costs and reducing margins
Stock impact
Digital Realty's global data center portfolio (over 300 facilities) would face similar retrofit costs, with estimated 15-25% increase in per-MW capex and 2-4 percentage point compression in NOI margins
Key Legislators
Connected Signals
Matched on shared policy language across AI analyses, with ticker & timing weight
Andreessen Horowitz Fund X-B - AI Infrastructure, L.P.
Fusion Data Centers Inc.
To amend the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 to establish a center on artificial intelligence to ensure continued United States leadership in research, development, and evaluation of artificial intelligence systems, and for other purposes.
To amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add a standard prohibiting the recovery of costs associated with data centers by certain electric utilities, and for other purposes.
CREATE AI Act of 2025
MATCH Act of 2026
To direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to conduct a survey with respect to data center resource consumption, and for other purposes.
To amend title 10, United States Code, to incorporate requirements for data centers for the protection of water resources, and for other purposes.
Related Presidential Actions
Executive orders & memoranda affecting the same sectors or companies
Adjusting Imports of Polysilicon and its Derivatives into the United States
This proclamation invokes Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to impose a minimum import price (MIP) program on polysilicon and its derivatives, a 15% ad valorem tariff on polysilicon derivatives, and directs the Secretary of Commerce to offer incentives for domestic production. It aims to protect and revive the U.S. polysilicon industry by restricting imports that threaten national security, particularly for semiconductor and solar supply chains.
Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Recoverable Critical Minerals and Materials
This memorandum invokes the Defense Production Act (DPA) Section 101 to declare that recoverable critical minerals and materials (such as black mass, end-of-life rare-earth magnets, and scrap) are essential to national defense and that the U.S. cannot meet defense needs without disrupting civilian markets. It directs the Secretary of Commerce to issue regulations and take actions—including priority contracts and supply-chain interventions—to rapidly expand domestic recovery and processing of these materials, while explicitly excluding copper scrap already covered by a separate proclamation.
Further Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum into the United States
This proclamation modifies the Section 232 tariff regime on aluminum imports by authorizing the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program that incentivizes new U.S. investment in primary aluminum production. Companies with approved onshoring plans can import primary aluminum at half the standard Section 232 duty rate, up to the anticipated annual output of their new or expanded facilities, with construction required to start by January 20, 2029. The action aims to boost domestic primary aluminum supply for national security and defense industrial base needs.
Free — no credit card
Get the next market-moving signal before the news does
HillSignal scores every Congressional bill, federal contract, and insider filing for market impact and emails you the high-conviction ones — free, no credit card.
Weekly digest — the congressional activity that actually moved markets that week, in plain English. Free, one email.
Free forever plan · No credit card · Unsubscribe in one click
Want the live terminal too? Create a free account →