Energy

Tech Giants Are ‘Gobbling Up’ Grid Capacity, Consumers Are Getting the Bill

Democratic lawmakers push back as tech giants avoid paying their share of grid infrastructure costs.

Georgina Mackie

Georgina Mackie

— 2 min read
Tech Giants Are ‘Gobbling Up’ Grid Capacity, Consumers Are Getting the Bill
Photo of Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., by Rod Lamkey/AP.

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2026 – Ratepayers, not technology companies, are bearing the cost of energy infrastructure built to power data centers, Democratic lawmakers and policy officials warned Wednesday.

The call came during a press call examining rising utility costs, with West Virginia emerging as a focal point for a national debate over who should pay when large technology users strain the grid.

Kayla Young, a West Virginia state delegate, said large technology companies have shown no interest in contributing their share. "The hyperscalers aren't even interested in paying their fair share, and we are not taking advantage of that in any capacity," she said.

Post tagged in
Energy Kayla Young West Virginia Dominion Energy Paul Tonko Steve DelBianco NetChoice Ron Wyden Aya Ibrahim Data Center National Economic Council

Read more

Popular Tags

Dish Wants Tower Claims Zeroed Out FCC Broadband Breakfast Course Traces 150 Years of American Telecommunications Broadband's Impact Bhavin Gandecha: The Permitting Bills Won’t Fix What’s Actually Broken BEAD Digital Equity Suit Paused Until New Funding Notice NTIA California Not Sold on Wisconsin Bell’s $55 Million Whistleblower Settlement AT&T Zayo Reaches Fiber Reserve Deal with Corning Infrastructure