Sept. 22, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Pennsylvania’s utility regulator will hold a conference to try to figure out how to allocate costs to big electricity users, such as data centers, and residents may seek to participate.
“Time is of the essence when it comes to addressing costs driven by data center growth, because the costs for energy, capacity, distribution and transmission are already increasing for ordinary retail customers,” Kimberly Barrow, vice chairman of the Public Utility Commission, said in a press release.
Commissioners will talk with panelists about how what the PUC calls “large computational load cost” is allocated.
Data centers are big buildings filled with computing equipment. Some residents are concerned about higher prices for electricity and water, which is used to cool some centers, as the industry grows. There is also concern about Artificial Intelligence, which is supported by the big-box buildings.
PPL Corp., the Allentown-based utility that provides electricity to much of the Lehigh Valley, has been in talks with data-center developers and centers have been proposed for Allentown, Bethlehem, and other communities.
The conference will be held Nov. 17 and broadcast via livestream. Residents may apply to be a member of the panel by filling out an application on the PUC website and submitting it to CLCATechConference@pa.gov. There is a limit to how many panelists can participate.
Disclosure: I own shares in PPL and in some companies involved with data centers. Also note, the term “chairman” can apply to men or women.
Here’s a link to the PUC statement and below is a cut-and-paste version:
Upcoming PUC Technical Conference Focuses on Utility Costs Driven by Data Centers and Other Large-Load Customers
Published on 9/22/2026
Filed under: Electric
Safeguarding consumers against cost impacts and reliability concerns driven by rapid data center development will be examined at the November conference
HARRISBURG – As the rapid buildout of data centers and other large-load facilities continues to fuel concerns about cost impacts on Pennsylvania households, along with growing worries about power grid reliability, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will convene a technical conference on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, to examine how costs associated with large new loads are identified and allocated.
“Time is of the essence when it comes to addressing costs driven by data center growth, because the costs for energy, capacity, distribution and transmission are already increasing for ordinary retail customers,” said PUC Vice Chair Kimberly Barrow. “This technical conference will help us vet issues of cost responsibility in a data center driven world and inform the Commission on how best to protect the public interest.”
Following Gov. Josh Shapiro’s August 18 Executive Order, the PUC continues to examine measures which address the allocation of data center-related costs. This conference enables utilities, consumer advocates, large-load customers and other stakeholders to participate in panel discussions on cost allocation associated with large computational loads.
November 17 Technical Conference
The PUC’s technical conference regarding large computational load cost allocation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Hearing Room 1, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120. An agenda will be posted prior to the technical conference on the PUC’s website. The technical conference will be open to the public via livestream the morning of the event.
As part of the informal educational process, Commissioners will pose questions to the panelists and will engage the panelists in discussions related to large computational load cost allocation in Pennsylvania.
Participating in the Technical Conference
Due to timing constraints of the technical conference, a limit to the number of panelists may be necessary. Interested parties who want to apply to become a panelist may do so by filling out an application and/or submitting it to CLCATechConference@pa.gov no later than Oct. 14, 2026. The application can be found on the Commission’s website at Technical Conference on Resource on Resource Adequacy | PA PUC
Pre-conference comments will be accepted until Nov. 13, 2026. Comments must be eFiled with the Secretary of the Commission by opening an eFiling account through the Commission’s website and accepting eservice at https://www.puc.pa.gov/filing-resources/efiling/.
Following the conclusion of the technical conference, comments will be accepted from members of the public. Comments must be eFiled with the Secretary of the Commission on or before Dec. 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. and will be posted on the Commission’s website. Any questions regarding this technical conference should be directed to CLCATechConference@pa.gov.
About the PUC
Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.
Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.
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