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People’s Counsel warns data center growth could raise Maryland electric bills, urges policies to limit cost shifts
Summary
The Office of People's Counsel told the Prince George's County Data Center Task Force that proposed data center load growth in PJM could drive large transmission projects and higher capacity and energy prices, and recommended 'bring your own generation' and state tariff rules to reduce cost risks for residential customers.
William Fields, deputy people's counsel for the Maryland Office of People's Counsel, told the Prince George's County Data Center Task Force that rapid data center growth reported in PJM forecasts is altering transmission planning and wholesale market outcomes in ways that will affect retail electric bills in Maryland.
Fields summarized PJM's role as the regional transmission organization and said large, proposed data center loads that utilities have reported to PJM are already driving new transmission projects and higher capacity-market prices. "PJM does not control electricity rates. Rates are controlled by state regulators like the Maryland Public Service Commission," Fields said, adding that coordination between state regulators and consumer advocates is needed to address rising costs.
Why it matters: Task-force members heard that transmission projects now under review for the PJM region could total billions of dollars and…
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