Energy laws take center stage at Indianapolis council meeting as data center concerns emerge

A City-County Council committee meeting in Indianapolis on new energy laws quickly shifted to concerns about data centers, even though they were not on the original agenda. Advocates warned that the rapid expansion of data centers across Indiana is driving up demand for electricity at a rapid pace. To keep up, utilities are building more infrastructure and expanding the grid, with the costs potentially being passed on to customers through higher monthly bills. At the same time, state lawmakers are changing how energy is regulated, including new policies and small tax changes tied to future data center projects. However, critics say these changes do not go far enough to protect everyday ratepayers. Residents are also raising concerns about the water usage and environmental impacts of the growing number of data centers. With more data centers expected, there are questions about who should be paying for the energy demands of these facilities.