About the column

Load Factor News is a column on the policy decisions behind data center power demand. Data centers draw power close to flat out around the clock; in utility terms, they run at a very high load factor. That is why utilities court them and why regulators, ratepayers and neighbors scrutinize them.

Each column takes one decision and says which level of government made it: a FERC order on large-load interconnection, a state commission’s rate for big customers, a data center tax-break bill, or a county zoning vote. It explains what the decision does to cost, timing and location, and what happens next. The focus is on Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Arizona and Oregon, with other states as the news warrants.

Facts are cited to orders, filings, bill text, meeting records and published reporting, with docket, case and bill numbers so readers can go to the source. Nothing here is investment advice.