Large electricity users would face new grid connection rules

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would set connection rules for large electricity users. The rules would cover a facility, or facilities grouped at one site, with peak demand above 50 megawatts. A customer would have to pay all study costs, meet reliability standards, show that new power sources can meet its needs, and agree to reduce or shift electricity use when requested. The Commission would set minimum flexibility standards. Customers meeting at least one listed condition, such as using battery backup or meeting construction labor standards, would receive priority for study completion, which providers would endeavor to finish before other requests. The Commission would issue final rules within one year after enactment. Once the rules take effect, a large facility could connect to the interstate grid only after approval through the new queue system.

The Commission would assign specified grid costs and charges to large electricity users. These cost rules concern large users connecting to the interstate grid, including some facilities located beside a power plant. Network upgrade payments could be made over time, but could not be refunded, credited against future charges, or recovered from other transmission customers. A colocated facility would owe certain grid service charges based on its full demand if its power plant is connected to the grid, even if it draws no net power, when it remains connected, synchronized, or reliant on the grid for reliability, backup, or related services. State authority over retail service would remain. The Commission would issue a final rule on network upgrade costs within one year after enactment.

The Department of Energy would gather data, support grid planning, and establish an artificial intelligence testbed. The testbed would be at a National Laboratory; the data request authority would apply to data center owners or operators. The Secretary could require data center owners or operators to submit information about energy use, water use, and operations, and would have to protect confidential business information. The testbed would let researchers from National Laboratories, universities, and industry work together. Any published data could not identify a single private company. The Secretary would establish the testbed within 180 days after enactment. The bill also calls for a report to Congress and the Commission within one year.