The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is preparing to finalize rules governing how massive data centers connect to the electrical grid. The agency announced on April 16 its intent to wrap up the rulemaking by the end of June 2026, a timeline that carries real consequences for anyone running power-hungry operations, crypto miners included.
The proceeding, filed under Docket RM26-4-000, focuses specifically on “large loads,” defined as facilities consuming more than 20 megawatts of electricity. Many modern AI data centers blow past that threshold without breaking a sweat.
Why this matters now
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued a directive on October 23, 2025, pushing for regulatory reforms that would speed up integration of these large energy loads. His emphasis was on making the process both timely and equitable.
FERC had already been moving in this direction. On December 18, 2025, the commission ordered PJM Interconnection, the largest grid operator in the United States, to revise its tariff. The revision targets clearer guidelines around co-location, the practice of placing large energy consumers directly alongside power generation sources.
