SSVEC CEO discusses solar, data centers and rising energy costs during Sunday Roundtable

SSVEC CEO Jason Bowling says Cochise County's power system is evolving amid solar expansion, data center interest and rising infrastructure costs, prompting the cooperative's first rate increase in nearly a decade. Bowling told Congress that regulatory delays can slow power line upgrades needed for wildfire prevention, citing a 15-year process to replace aging transmission infrastructure. SSVEC implemented its first rate increase since 2016, citing inflation and rising equipment costs, though a renewable surcharge elimination may provide some relief to members. The story reports remarks from the electric cooperative's CEO about energy infrastructure, solar, data centers and rates without political framing or advocacy.