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Faster-than-Expected Data Center Load Growth May Cause Increased Regional Short-term Fossil Fuel Generation and Wholesale Electricity Prices

LCG, March 18, 2026--The EIA released a new "In-depth Analysis" of the potential impact of faster-than-expected near-term growth in data center power demand on power generation and wholesale prices on March 12. The analysis models the lower 48 states through 2027 and compares results to its base case scenario. Key takeaway from this sensitivity analysis is the potential increase in fossil fuels in some regions and potentially a significant increase in wholesale prices in ERCOT.

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Faster-than-Expected Data Center Load Growth May Cause Increased Regional Short-term Fossil Fuel Generation and Wholesale Electricity Prices

LCG, March 18, 2026--The EIA released a new "In-depth Analysis" of the potential impact of faster-than-expected near-term growth in data center power demand on power generation and wholesale prices on March 12. The analysis models the lower 48 states through 2027 and compares results to its base case scenario. Key takeaway from this sensitivity analysis is the potential increase in fossil fuels in some regions and potentially a significant increase in wholesale prices in ERCOT.

Read more

Industry News

PG&E Wants Customers to Cover Rate Shortfall

LCG, Aug. 7, 2001--Pacific Gas & Electric Co. returned to court yesterday, seeking to recovery from its retail customers the cost of supplying them with electricity at artificially low rates mandated by California's failed electric deregulation law.

PG&E estimates that it spent about $9 billion more for wholesale power than it was able to charge, and it wants the federal district court in San Francisco to rule that the lower rates it was forced to charge between June of last year and January of this year were unconstitutional and unenforceable because they prevent the utility from recovering its entire wholesale power purchase costs.

The company also says in its suit that state law, as interpreted by the California Public Utilities Commission, is unconstitutional and unenforceable insofar as it produces a confiscatory result and fails to provide just compensation for the taking of private property for public use.

PG&E's lawsuit follows an earlier filing in May which a judge dismissed "without prejudice" because it was brought before CPUC rate rulings were final.

In its filing, the utility notes that a significant amount of theundercollected power costs was for electricity which state law mandated the California IndependentSystem Operator purchase and pass on to the utility in order to maintain electric system reliability,literally "to keep the lights on."

Cal-ISO was unrestrained in its efforts, purchasing power at the highest price possible and sending the bill to PG&E.

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