Legislative strategy
Daniel Chandler
I sent the draft of our data centers legislation to Ken Branson, Becker’s energy staff lead. Here is his take:
On the data center bill, I read through it fairly quickly so didn't absorb all the details, but there are a lot of good ideas in there about what we need to protect against and require any new "large load" to do (why limit specifically to data centers?) in order to make sure that they pay their share of grid costs and help bring down rates and we avoid the risk of stranded assets or that utilities favor CapEx heavy solutions to enabling them. I was told that TURN is working with Senator Padilla's team on developing a bill like this, so I would suggest that you try to submit ideas into that effort rather than trying to craft your own competing bill. (I'm also suggesting that we support Padilla's effort rather than working on the topic ourselves.)
Does anyone have a contact with TURN? Can we (BERC) check with Padilla to see if TURN is working with them?
It seems the action is all going to be with Padilla. Is there information leading us to think others will be wanting to introduce data center bills that cover affordability and cost shifts?
Ken also said he was not comfortable introducing us to the Utilities committee consultants, so we will have to do that on our own.
Rose, please chime in with what your discussions with Padilla have covered and whether they indicated they might be open to input.
Thanks,
Dan
Email: dwch...@gmail.com
