Proposed rules would shift large data center power costs

The representative organization would file an annual report on data center electricity use and related costs. The report would cover proposed and existing data centers statewide. The report would be filed annually on dates set by the Nebraska Power Review Board. The board would make it public as far as the law allows.

Public power suppliers would set terms requiring large data centers to cover specified power and shutdown costs. These provisions cover large data centers, defined as centers with peak electricity demand of at least 20 megawatts. A supplier would study the center’s costs and effects before imposing requirements. A center would submit a plan to meet some or all of its power needs through private suppliers or its own generation, and a shutdown plan that covers cleanup costs and secures those costs with a bond or other instrument. Suppliers would limit public power service to the extent a center can use private power or its own generation, and allow service interruptions under established rates and policies. A supplier would conduct a study before imposing requirements. A center would provide its bond or other financial security no later than the first year after commercial operation begins.

Public power suppliers would post information about data centers on their websites. The information would cover proposed and existing data centers under each supplier’s jurisdiction, including ownership, location, electricity use and sources, customer contracts, needed power line work, conservation steps, renewable energy commitments, and expected service life.