Advanced Search Close Search
Who pays for AI's power? California watchdog urges new data center rules
State

Who pays for AI's power? California watchdog urges new data center rules

  • By ALEJANDRO LAZO CalMatters

A California watchdog is urging state lawmakers to make data centers cover their own power costs, so households do not pay more. The Little Hoover Commission warns that AI-driven growth could strain the grid and raise utility bills. The report says regulators need clearer data on where demand lands. It seeks confidential, facility-level reporting on electricity use. It also calls for a special rate class for extremely large power users. The plan includes prepaying for grid upgrades and helping cover wildfire safety costs. The report also flags backup diesel generators, carbon emissions, and water use by data centers as hampering California's climate goals.

Acting on impulse
Columnists

Acting on impulse

  • By Greg Wilson

For years I’ve been striving to lower our energy usage. Although I’d mostly been focused on lowering the electric portion of our bill (we spen…