Disruption

States aim to shield consumers from soaring electricity prices

Lawmakers have introduced bills that would impose higher-than-normal utility rates on data centers.
Amazon Web Services data center is seen on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Boardman, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

State lawmakers are exploring ways to protect consumers from rising electricity prices as more energy-hungry data centers are proposed and built.

A law enacted in Oregon last year created a special rate for large load users such as data centers and crypto-miners. Lawmakers in at least six states — California, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma and Wisconsin — are considering similar ratepayer protections this year. 

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