U.S. electricity demand is expected to rise by 15% by 2030, driven by data centers, AI applications, manufacturing, and electrification. In its fall 2025 webinar series, National Council on Electricity Policy (NCEP) members shared opportunities and challenges they are facing at a state level in trying to accommodate large loads after decades of flat or declining electricity demand. Key principles around collaboration, coordination, partnership, and transparency emerged.
At this annual meeting, NCEP heard large load customer perspectives on load growth and their experiences developing new sites in states around the country and presentations on large load tools and economic development. Attendees then explored six specific approaches that can help state decisionmakers collaborate in responding to unprecedented load growth. Session descriptions and links to presentations follow.
Panel on Large Load Customer Perspectives
What is the large-load customer experience in developing large data centers? How do these customers interact with governor’s offices, legislatures, utility commissions, state energy offices, consumer advocates, environmental agencies, economic development offices, and other state agencies? What do they wish we knew? This conversational panel provided a window into how large-load customers navigate the state legislative and agency landscape.
Moderator: Rep. Craig Williams, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Speakers:
Expert Panel on Large Load Tools and Efforts
This panel introduced a variety of resources and tools that are in development to help state agencies and others address emerging large loads. Attendees were invited to share other tools and efforts they are finding useful in these efforts.
Moderator: Hon. Patrick Scully, Maine Public Service Commission
Speakers:
Interactive Discussion on Load Forecasting
States face highly uncertain, rapidly shifting large load forecasts—often dominated by data centers—that outstrip traditional utility/RTO methods, create price volatility, and can undermine prudent planning. Following Sedai’s presentation, participants discussed two approaches for responding to challenges with load forecasting: Developing State Level Forecasts; and Establishing Shared Information Portals.
Moderator: Hon. Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Speaker: Ashish Sedai, Energy Modeling and Advanced Technology Team Lead, Virginia Department of Energy, Presentation on Virginia's Statewide Long-term Energy Planning Framework
Interactive Discussion on Cost Causation
Explicit cost causation frameworks protect existing customers from the incremental costs and risks of serving very large, often speculative loads. Following Willis’s presentation, participants discussed two approaches for responding to challenges of cost causation: Interconnection Policies; and Elements of Large Load Tariffs.
Moderator: Joe Pereira, Director, Colorado Office of Utility Consumer Advocate
Speaker: Maureen Willis, Consumers’ Counsel, Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, presented elements of Ohio’s large load tariff.
Expert Panel on How Economic Development Agencies Work
How does economic development happen in a state? Who are the participants in the process? What information gets shared? How important are power availability and timelines? This panel of speakers shared their insights about energy and economic development.
Moderator: Kris Anderson, Director, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
Speakers:
Interactive Discussion on Competition for Sites and Power
States confront a race for limited sites with available power capacity, in which data centers’ speed and templated development models can outcompete manufacturers for strategic, infrastructure-ready parcels (e.g., rail-served industrial sites) and available megawatts. Other critical land uses like agriculture and forestry are also part of this competition. Following Hagerman’s presentation, participants discussed two approaches for responding to challenges of competition for sites and power: Shared Economic Development Goals; and Early Coordination Between State Entities.
Moderator: Rep. Craig Williams, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Speaker: Joe Hagerman, Director, Mississippi Development Authority, presenting shared goals for energy-intense economic development.