Large computing users would pay more of their power costs

Utility companies would set rates and contract rules for large electricity users. These rules cover customers using more than 25 megawatts at one site, or more than 100 megawatts across a limited area, mainly for computing equipment. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission would review or change each tariff. Customers would pay the full cost of certain upgrades that mainly serve them and would not otherwise be needed; payment is due before construction. Utility companies must file tariffs within 90 days after the relevant subsection takes effect; the commission must act after its public process.

Power companies would assign certain capacity costs to large electricity users. These provisions apply to power companies and utilities with PJM reliability backstop auction obligations, and to large users eligible for the named load-reduction program. If a large user cannot pay backstop auction costs, those costs would be reassigned to other large users, not other customer groups. For eligible users in the Interim Resource Adequacy Service program, tariffs would require interruptible service, meaning power can be cut under program rules; compensation and cost recovery arrangements would be set while the commission decides whether participants receive payment. Procedures for the backstop auction must be filed and approved by June 1, 2028.

Utilities would cut power to large computing users first during specified emergencies. The rule applies to commission-regulated utilities that have received an interconnection request from at least one large computing customer in their service areas. A covered large user could not be exempt from emergency cuts. The procedures would remain in place for delivery years when PJM projects a regional capacity shortfall caused mainly by added large computing loads. Utilities must file revised emergency procedures within 60 days after the relevant paragraph takes effect, and the procedures must be in place before June 1, 2027.