Federal Regulators Gave AI Data Centers a Grid Fast Lane and Skipped the Part About Enough Power
FERC ordered six grid operators to fast-track data-center hookups, then gave those same operators 30 days to admit how much spare power exists, which is the order of operations of people who already know the answer is grim.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decided AI server farms should cut to the front of the interconnection line before anyone confirmed the grid can feed them. FERC told grid operators on Thursday to fast-track interconnection requests from data centers and other large electricity users, and under the orders six major grid operators have to show that data centers are able to connect to the transmission system in a timely and orderly manner. The orders failed to address electricity supply shortages. Grid operators now have 30 days to submit a report detailing how much generating capacity they have to spare, if any. Building the on-ramp before checking whether the highway exists is a choice, and your power bill is the toll booth. TechCrunch on FERC’s data-center order
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