Yeah, I imagine the language is something like “data centers must pay for last mile infrastructure” meaning the transmission lines from the DC to a nearby substation, while everyone else has to pay for the utility company to build new power plants to meet the demand requirements.
Some who voted against the bill worried about an amendment to the original proposal that, in limited circumstances, will allow utilities to allocate portions of the infrastructure costs across the broader system, rather than charging only the data center, if the upgrades also benefit other customers or improve or replace existing infrastructure.
That sounds reasonable, no? If a data centre needs 50MW and instead of building a 50MW generator they build a 200MW one while also replacing an aging 100MW generator then they’ve increased total capacity, provided better energy security for their other customers while also providing the initial 50MW required for the data centre.
Not saying I agree with the idea of the data centres and that this couldn’t be abused in any way but it’s not necessarily a maliciously included amendment.
I would expect this to be instead of building 50MW they build 51MW and split the cost evenly between everyone, thus contributing minimum while paying also minimum
Nice work TN. I just hope it’s not totally bullshit
Tennessee has one of the worst state governments in the country. So it probably is bullshit.
Yeah, I imagine the language is something like “data centers must pay for last mile infrastructure” meaning the transmission lines from the DC to a nearby substation, while everyone else has to pay for the utility company to build new power plants to meet the demand requirements.
Guys, I have an announcement: I read the article
So yeah, it’s bullshit
That sounds reasonable, no? If a data centre needs 50MW and instead of building a 50MW generator they build a 200MW one while also replacing an aging 100MW generator then they’ve increased total capacity, provided better energy security for their other customers while also providing the initial 50MW required for the data centre.
Not saying I agree with the idea of the data centres and that this couldn’t be abused in any way but it’s not necessarily a maliciously included amendment.
I would expect this to be instead of building 50MW they build 51MW and split the cost evenly between everyone, thus contributing minimum while paying also minimum
Nailed it!
All the self powered data centers I know of are burning massive amounts of diesel.
The Xai one in Memphis has gas turbines that are driving the surrounding population sick with chemical and noise pollution.
It’s so rare to see anything good happen in Tennessee politics that it’s hard to believe.