Pa. regulators warn data centers could strain the grid
Pennsylvania utility regulators are warning that the rapid growth of data centers could pose serious risks to electric grid reliability and increase costs for consumers. This concern stems from rising demand on the PJM Interconnection grid, which serves Pennsylvania and much of the eastern United States.
Pennsylvania utility regulators have issued a warning regarding the rapid expansion of data centers, citing potential serious risks to electric grid reliability and a possible increase in consumer costs. The Pennsylvania Utility Commission's (PUC) action follows growing concerns over rising demand on the PJM Interconnection grid, which supplies power to Pennsylvania and much of the eastern United States. An independent analysis indicated a reliability risk, though it did not predict a specific number of outages. This review comes as large-scale data center projects and their associated transmission infrastructure have become a prominent issue across Pennsylvania, particularly in the Susquehanna Valley.