Large data-center load shifts grid and capacity costs onto households and other ratepayers
#00208
PJM's independent market monitor attributed 38% of the latest capacity auction cost to data-centers. Speculative interconnection requests inflate queues further, and where cost-allocation rules are unchanged the resulting charges spread across all customers.
#00221Offer faster interconnection in exchange for contractually curtailable load
Connect large loads sooner if they accept curtailment during scarcity hours. Modelling finds 76 to 126 GW of headroom in the 22 largest US balancing authorities at 0.25–1% of hours curtailed. Google has signed 1 GW of demand response but publishes no curtailment performance data.
#00220Create a large-load tariff class with minimum take, long contract term and exit fees
Put customers above roughly 25 MW in their own rate class, obliged to pay for 85% of contracted capacity for 12–14 years with collateral and exit fees. After Ohio approved one, the utility's large-load forecast fell by half, revealing much of the queue as speculative.