Federal regulators reject grid operator's plan to curtail data center power during shortages
Source Summary
Federal energy regulators have rejected a proposal by PJM, a regional grid operator serving East Coast and Midwest states, to cut power to large data centers during electricity supply shortfalls. The decision leaves authority over data center power management primarily with individual states rather than federal regulators. PJM had sought the ability to curtail power to data centers as a demand-management tool during grid emergencies.
Why it matters
The rejection shifts responsibility for managing data center power consumption during grid emergencies to state regulators, potentially creating fragmented policies across regions as electricity demand from data centers continues to grow.
