Ohio Tightens Data Center Cost Rules

Ohio regulators and utilities are requiring large data center customers to take greater responsibility for electricity procurement and contracted capacity costs, while major data center firms are contributing roughly $17 million to $18 million to a household bill-assistance program.

The measures respond to concerns about rising residential bills and the effect of rapid data center growth on generation, transmission, and distribution costs. They establish a clearer link between data center expansion and both customer-specific charges and public bill relief.