US Regulator Makes ‘Interventionist’ Pivot to Speed Data Centers

The chairman of the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said moves to help AI data centers accelerate hook ups to the country’s electric grids reflect a new and more interventionist approach by the regulator.

FERC on Thursday approved a series of orders to pressure grids to handle hyperscalers’ connection requests within 90 days. The current process can take years.

The commission also said it’s requiring data centers to pay for their own power, and to be flexible with the amount of electricity that they consume. And utilities must now disclose the cost of adding major new consumers to the grid. ...