Senate committee backs bill to let very large power users build or contract for supply; utilities and consumer advocate urge guardrails

The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee advanced Senate Bill 227, electricity supply amendments, which would create a statutory and regulatory framework allowing very large customers — defined in the bill as loads over 50 megawatts — to develop on-site or near-site generation or contract for power outside traditional utility delivery when the regulated utility cannot meet needs in a timely way.

The bill’s sponsor and outside counsel said the measure is intended to prevent long waits for power that prospective data centers and manufacturers currently face and to allow large users to build or contract for the resources they need. "If the utility cannot [serve those customers], then it shouldn't stand in the way," said Gary Dodge, who presented technical background on the bill to the committee.

Why it matters: supporters said the proposal would help attract large industrial and…