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Jenifer French, Chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio provides testimony at the Ohio Senate Energy Committee
On March 24th on the topic of data centers Frank testified that in 2024, AEP Ohio reported that load growth caused by data center demand was projected to double in central Ohio by 2030. This would have led to significant infrastructure investment within the region. In May 2024, AEP Ohio proposed a tariff specific to data centers that requested long term capacity commitments that would protect AEP Ohio’s other customers from the cost of the infrastructure needed to serve them. In July 2025, the PUCO approved the new tariff. To our knowledge, it was the first data center specific tariff approved in the country. We have heard that there are numerous other states now exploring how this concept can be modified and applied to protect their citizens from increased costs.
Additionally, Governor DeWine joined 12 other governors in the PJM region, and the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council in signing a Statement of Principles urging PJM to protect non-data center customers from increased energy prices caused by data center demand. The principles outlined several provisions including a one-time auction that would offer long-term contracts to new 6 generation to serve data centers. Data centers would be responsible for all of the costs associated with the new generation.”
Chair Jenifer French testimony before the Ohio Senate Energy Committee (Presentation Slides)
