Electric utilities to DOE: AI data centers should pay for transmission upgrades

The Edison Electric Institute in comments to the Energy Department argues that the growth of data centers to support artificial intelligence -- and accommodating their need for power by interconnecting to the electricity grid -- should include funding for transmission upgrades to protect consumers from rising costs, a recommendation that underscores the challenges faced by the tech sector in its drive for AI development.

“Where interconnected with and using the grid, data centers should contribute toward the costs of that...