Will special rate classes protect Va. residents from the costs of serving data centers? • Virginia Mercury

The surge in electricity demand from data centers in Virginia is expected to raise electricity bills for residents. Dominion Energy has proposed a rate increase for all customers while also suggesting a new rate class for large-load customers like data centers to shield residents from infrastructure costs. Other utilities are following suit, with varying proposals aimed at ensuring data centers bear the costs associated with their energy needs. The differing approaches highlight the tension between investor-owned utilities and nonprofit cooperatives in managing the financial impact on regular customers.