PUCO statement

Press Contact

Claire Bencks, Manager, Communications
Data Center Coalition
claire@datacentercoalition.org
804-503-4809

Statement from Data Center Coalition on Joint Stipulation Filed with PUCO on October 10, 2024

On October 10, 2024, the Data Center Coalition (DCC), the membership association for leading data center owners and operators, signed on to a Joint Stipulation and Recommendation before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) in Case No. 24-0508-EL-ATA. The Joint Stipulation was the result of a collaborative negotiation process involving all parties.

The majority of parties in the case signed the Joint Stipulation. The signatory parties represent a broad coalition of Ohio businesses and other stakeholders. Most of the signatory parties are not data center organizations. In addition to DCC, the signatory parties include:

• Amazon Data Services, Inc.
• Constellation Energy Generation, LLC and Constellation New Energy, Inc.
• Enchanted Rock, LLC
• Google LLC
• Interstate Gas Supply
• Microsoft Corporation
• Ohio Blockchain Council
• Ohio Energy Leadership Council
• Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Energy Group
• One Energy Enterprises, Inc.
• Retail Energy Supply Association
• Sidecat LLC, an affiliate of Meta Platforms, Inc.

Although the Joint Stipulation has garnered support from a majority of the parties involved in the case, the Commission will need to review it thoroughly and make a decision on whether to approve it in whole or in part.

The Joint Stipulation seeks approval of a new Electricity-Intensive Customer (“EIC”) tariff schedule aimed at ensuring that energy-intensive customers, such as data centers,  have heightened commitments to address potential transmission capacity constraints. It addresses key concerns raised in AEP Ohio’s unprecedented application, including: (1) creating long-term contractual commitments for EIC customers; (2) materially increasing the minimum demand charge for Schedule EIC customers; and (3) creating heightened collateral requirements for certain EIC customers based on load characteristics. The stipulation also includes a request for the PUCO to initiate a Commission-Ordered Investigation (COI) into grid-enhancing technologies and other solutions that could alleviate near term system capacity constraints in Central Ohio at a faster pace and lower cost than relying entirely on new transmission investments.

DCC President Josh Levi added the following:

“DCC is proud to be part of a broad coalition of industry leaders working collaboratively to address today’s challenges by building the grid of the future and supporting access to reliable and affordable electricity for all Ohio customers. 

This collaborative filing puts forth a practical, evidence-based solution that provides necessary assurances to the utility, protects customers, and supports economic development in Ohio. It represents a strong vision for Ohio’s energy future – one where we can harness the power of innovation and work together to build a grid that benefits everyone.

By exploring grid-enhancing technologies, we can unlock cost savings for customers, attract greater economic investment, and continue to build upon Ohio’s exciting momentum as a growing hub of technology and industrial manufacturing. DCC will continue to lean in as a constructive partner in building a stronger, more resilient energy future for Ohio.”