The nation’s electric grid is stressed out.
Unprecedented energy demands for large customers, such as data centers and cryptomines, are straining power supplies, raising electric rates in some regions, and stoking consumer advocates’ concerns that residential ratepayers could get stuck with the bill.
Today federal energy regulators issued sweeping orders that require the nation’s six major grid operators within 60 days to propose reforms or justify their rules that govern how data centers and other large customers connect to the electric grid.
Additionally, within 30 days, each grid operator and its transmission owners must submit a detailed report describing how the grid operator will ensure there is adequate generation to serve existing and new large loads.
The purpose of the order is to expedite connections between large customers and utilities, but with some proposed protections for residential and small commercial customers.
