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Key developments
DOE lets PJM shift data centers to generators
The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order during the July 4 heat wave authorizing PJM Interconnection to require large-load customers, including data centers with at least 50 MW of peak load, to switch to onsite backup generation within 15 minutes of an emergency signal. PJM demand reached roughly 163 GW, near its 2006 record, while day-ahead prices exceeded $2,000/MWh in parts of the system. PJM expects peak demand to grow by 32 GW from 2024 to 2030, with nearly all of that increase tied to data centers.
Why it matters
The order treats large data centers as a direct grid-reliability lever during emergencies, setting a precedent for demand controls on AI infrastructure.
Sources & driving stories
Wisconsin forecasts 40% demand jump from data centers
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s draft Strategic Energy Assessment projects peak demand rising from 14.2 GW in 2026 to more than 20 GW by 2032. About 4.17 GW, or more than 72% of the increase, is attributed to three hyperscale data center projects in Beaver Dam, Port Washington and Mount Pleasant, including Microsoft’s 2.6 GW Mount Pleasant project and a 1.3 GW Port Washington campus serving Oracle and OpenAI. Utilities now plan 5.4 GW of natural gas capacity or upgrades, alongside solar, wind and storage additions, and are pursuing separate large-customer rates.
Why it matters
The forecast quantifies how quickly hyperscale builds can reshape a state’s generation mix, rate design and reliability planning.
Sources & driving stories
WISPOLITICS · Alex Moe
WisPolitics coverageMILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverageKotek backs 29% Oregon data-center rate hike
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek endorsed Portland General Electric’s proposed 29% rate increase for large data centers, tied to implementation of the POWER Act, while residential and smaller business customers would receive small rate cuts. The Oregon Public Utility Commission is expected to review the proposal Tuesday. Kotek also criticized roughly $450 million in data center tax breaks and urged communities to pause new projects until an advisory committee proposes reforms later this year.
Why it matters
Oregon is moving from incentive-led recruitment toward cost-shifting and possible project restraint as data center power demand becomes politically contested.
Sources & driving stories
OREGONLIVE · Mike Rogoway
Oregonlive coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Texas weighs mandatory water reporting
At a House Natural Resources Committee hearing, lawmakers questioned voluntary disclosure after the Texas Water Development Board received responses from only about 17% of 341 existing data centers surveyed for the 2025 planning cycle.
WORTH NOTING
Washington data-center exemptions ended
Senate Bill 6231 took effect July 1, ending eligibility to receive or renew sales-tax exemption certificates for server equipment and power infrastructure at more than 100 Washington data centers.
WORTH NOTING
Nuclear startup targets data centers
Ampera announced a 3D-printed, thorium-based microreactor concept aimed at 15 MW or 30 MW configurations, with possible generation in 2027 and customer modules around 2030 pending regulatory approval.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will emergency backup orders become routine?
If heat waves and AI load growth keep stressing PJM, data centers may face recurring obligations to act as controllable load or backup generation resources.
OPEN QUESTION
Can states price impacts without halting growth?
Oregon, Wisconsin, Texas and Washington are testing different mechanisms—rates, reporting, moratoria and tax changes—to make data centers bear infrastructure costs while preserving investment.