Laura V. Swett

Stories

FERC forces PJM to rewrite the rules for power-hungry, power-adjacent data centers

Leading FERC as it tries to regulate the data-center load shock without breaking reliability

Data centers found a shortcut: park next to a generator and drink power without waiting years for grid upgrades. In December 2025, FERC ordered PJM to rewrite its tariff so co-located mega-load can't stay invisible to planning and cost responsibility. In June 2026, FERC expanded the push, ordering six grid operators to justify or overhaul how they connect AI data centers.

Updated Oct 16

FERC rejects ComEd's cancellation of PowerHouse Hillwood data center contract

Rule Changes

As of September 2026: Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on September 22, 2026, rejected Commonwealth Edison's (ComEd) attempt to cancel a transmission security agreement with PowerHouse Hillwood Holding, the developer behind a 1.8-gigawatt, $20-billion data center planned for Joliet, Illinois. The agency declined to take jurisdiction over the contract dispute, saying the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is the right venue to resolve it.

Updated Sep 23

FERC moves to rewrite how data centers connect to the power grid

Rule Changes

As of June 2026: Leading FERC's action on the large-load rule

For decades, the cost of upgrading the power grid was spread across everyone's electric bill. On June 18, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) acted on a rule that could put much of that cost on the data centers that trigger it.

Updated Jun 18

Notable Quotes

“Today’s order is a monumental step towards fortifying America’s national and economic security in the AI revolution…” — Chairman Laura Swett

from FERC forces PJM to rewrite the rules for power-hungry, power-adjacent data centers · Updated Oct 16

“[A] critical step to give investors and consumers more certainty on how FERC believes we can solve the problem of meeting historic surging demand…”

from FERC forces PJM to rewrite the rules for power-hungry, power-adjacent data centers · Updated Oct 16

Though we decline to assert primary jurisdiction over the interpretation of ambiguous contract terms involving credit support, our commitment to fair cost allocation, ratepayer protection, and regulatory clarity remains unwavering.

from FERC rejects ComEd's cancellation of PowerHouse Hillwood data center contract · Updated Sep 23

Swett said she is prepared to "push right up to that edge" of FERC's jurisdiction to get results.

from FERC moves to rewrite how data centers connect to the power grid · Updated Jun 18