Data Centers Push Grid Rules from Forecasts to Tariffs
Monday, August 17, 2026 · 10 min
ERCOT, PJM and Exelon show data center load moving from forecasts into tariff fights: Texas wants pre-energization audits, Christie presses PJM governance reform, and utilities are locking in coal, gas and take-or-pay customer protections.
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Show notes
ERCOT, PJM and Exelon show data center load moving from forecasts into tariff fights: Texas wants pre-energization audits, Christie presses PJM governance reform, and utilities are locking in coal, gas and take-or-pay customer protections.
In this episode
- ERCOT Asks for Exceptions to Batch Study Process — RTO Insider
ERCOT says it will need to file good-cause exceptions with the Public Utility Commission to respond to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s request that the organizations conduct a “comprehensive” verification and audit of all data centers before they can be energized. The grid operator’s general counsel, Chad Seely, told the commissioners during a special open meeting Aug. 14 that staff is moving the…
- Step Back — When PJM’s capacity auction clears at $325/MW-day, what is actually being purchased—and why can a price set years in advance affect the bills and reliability choices of customers who aren’t data centers?
Background sources
- What the 2028/2029 PJM Capacity Auction Means for Commercial & Industrial Energy Customers | AEP Energy — Katie Firestone
- 2025 in Review: PJM Market Rules Support Efficiency, Resource Adequacy | PJM Inside Lines — Jason McGovern
- PJM capacity auction hits price cap again, falls short of reliability requirement - E&E News by POLITICO — Mona Zhang
- What Is a Capacity Market? Explained | EnergyDocket — EnergyDocket
- PJM files backstop auction plan at FERC to meet capacity shortfall | Utility Dive — Ethan Howland
- Christie: Don’t Settle for Cosmetic Half Measures in PJM — RTO Insider
Former FERC Chair Mark Christie has strong words of advice for current commissioners considering changes to PJM governance. “Do not back off to avoid pushback from influential stakeholder interests who do not want to give up their power within PJM and never will do so voluntarily,” he wrote in comments filed Aug. 16 ( AD26-7 ). “Do not settle for cosmetic half measures to get some ‘kumbaya’…
- In the Midwest, more coal power for data centers | Latitude Media — Latitude Media
In the Midwest, more coal power for data centers | Latitude Media In the Midwest, more coal power for data centers | Latitude Media - Analysis - DATA CENTERS - U.S. market # In the Midwest, more coal power for data centers As utility tariff approvals make data center pipelines less speculative, Evergy doubles down on existing plants. Share: - Share on LinkedIn - Share on X - Share on…
- Exelon has $1B in TSAs, but Debate over Data Centers Continues — RTO Insider
Exelon recently reported that it has signed data centers to $1 billion in customer protections through transmission security agreements (TSAs). So far, most of the TSAs have been in Commonwealth Edison’s territory in Northern Illinois, where tax incentives implemented in 2019 led to a surge in data center development. Exelon Vice President of National Accounts Diana Sharpe said in an interview…