News
November 25, 2025 Crain’s Chicago Business: Illinois consumers can't foot the bill for runaway data-center demand
This fall, the Illinois General Assembly took a critical step toward dealing with electricity price spikes when it passed the Clean & Reliable Grid Affordability Act — sweeping energy-reform legislation that, among many pro-consumer provisions, expands energy efficiency and brings more battery storage to tackle painfully high electric bills. But now it’s time to turn to another looming crisis, both here in Illinois and across the region: the impacts of power-hungry data centers on our bills.
This fall, the Illinois General Assembly took a critical step toward dealing with electricity price spikes when it passed the Clean & Reliable Grid Affordability Act — sweeping energy-reform legislation that, among many pro-consumer provisions, expands energy efficiency and brings more battery storage to tackle painfully high electric bills. But now it’s time to turn to another looming crisis, both here in Illinois and across the region: the impacts of power-hungry data centers on our bills.
November 23, 2025 Chicago Tribune: PJM must meet this data center moment with a smart plan for electricity resources
The board of PJM — a little-known organization that greatly impacts how affordable electricity is for 67 million customers across 13 states — is about to decide whether data centers will pay their fair share.
The board of PJM — a little-known organization that greatly impacts how affordable electricity is for 67 million customers across 13 states — is about to decide whether data centers will pay their fair share.
November 17, 2025 Canary Media: Will PJM do what it takes to get data-center costs under control?
Advocates say new data centers in the biggest U.S. power market should have to stop using electricity when demand peaks to help rein in costs. Tech companies disagree.
Advocates say new data centers in the biggest U.S. power market should have to stop using electricity when demand peaks to help rein in costs. Tech companies disagree.
November 13, 2025 CUB Q&A: PJM’s Critical Issue Fast Pass (CIFP) Policy Proposal
What’s happening?
On Wednesday, November 19, PJM members will vote on how to integrate data centers into the grid. As we’ve detailed elsewhere, data centers require massive amounts of electricity and drive up consumer costs. Some, but not all, proposals would ensure that data centers only connect to the electric system if we maintain reliability and affordability.
What’s happening?
On Wednesday, November 19, PJM members will vote on how to integrate data centers into the grid. As we’ve detailed elsewhere, data centers require massive amounts of electricity and drive up consumer costs. Some, but not all, proposals would ensure that data centers only connect to the electric system if we maintain reliability and affordability.
October 23, 2025 Data center distress: CUB, NRDC experts warn PJM states could get hit with forced blackouts, $163B in electricity capacity costs
At a media briefing hosted by Consumers for a Better Grid on October 22, experts from the Citizens Utility Board of Illinois and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) provided context for what is at stake for consumers and grid reliability if skyrocketing data center energy demand isn’t addressed, and provided potential solutions that put consumers first.
At a media briefing hosted by Consumers for a Better Grid on October 22, experts from the Citizens Utility Board of Illinois and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) provided context for what is at stake for consumers and grid reliability if skyrocketing data center energy demand isn’t addressed, and provided potential solutions that put consumers first.