JD Vance Says Data Centers Must Add Power To Grid To Protect Consumers From Higher Costs
Vice President JD Vance said data center developers should not raise electricity costs for existing customers by relying on local power grids. He argued that developers should add power to the grid, create construction jobs and provide economic benefits to nearby communities.
Speaking to reporters in Ohio, Vice President JD Vance discussed data center projects under construction or being considered near Trenton and argued that developers must protect local ratepayers. He said projects that tap existing grid capacity and increase electricity costs should not move forward without commitments to provide power back to the grid and deliver local economic benefits.
Vance cited a 5-gigawatt data center project in Louisiana as an example of a potential community benefit model, saying its developers were providing bonuses to teachers and feeding electricity back into the grid. He said data centers could become economic engines but would require agreements between developers and local communities to ensure residents benefit rather than bear higher costs.