Ohio PUC Sets New Rules For Data Centers - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the rapid expansion of massive AI-focused data centers by tech giants like Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, who is investing hundreds of billions of dollars into new facilities such as the Prometheus and Hyperion data centers, expected to be operational by 2026. These centers are designed to support Meta’s growing AI and advertising operations, with capital expenditures projected to reach up to $72 billion by 2025 to keep pace with competitors like OpenAI and Google. Despite the enormous scale and cost, Zuckerberg and other tech leaders have not addressed who will bear the financial burden of the necessary power grid upgrades to support these energy-intensive facilities. In response to concerns about the financial risks posed to utility customers, the Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has implemented new rules requiring data center operators to commit to funding at least 85% of the grid upgrades they claim they will need, even if their projected energy demand does not materialize. This policy aims to prevent data centers from avoiding financial responsibility for