PPL Electric president says data center costs should not be passed to Pennsylvania customers
PPL Electric Utilities President Christine M. Martin says the utility’s LP-6 rate class is designed to ensure large-load customers, including data centers, bear the costs and risks associated with connecting to the electric grid. She also describes a proposed Customer Protection Transmission Rider that would assign certain transmission costs tied to large-load development directly to those customers rather than existing ratepayers.
PPL Electric Utilities President Christine M. Martin argues in a guest opinion that Pennsylvania customers should not bear infrastructure costs created by data centers and other large electricity users. She says the utility’s LP-6 rate class, approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in June 2026, requires qualifying large-load customers to make financial and usage commitments and provide security against stranded investments.
Martin also outlines PPL Electric’s proposed Customer Protection Transmission Rider, filed with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Sept. 14. The proposal would assign certain transmission costs associated with large-load development to those customers and provide greater bill transparency. She says customer protections must be paired with efforts to expand electricity supply and maintain grid reliability as demand grows.