"The nation’s energy regulators have shot down a bid from a regional grid operator to cut power to some large data centers during a supply shortfall — leaving the issue largely in the hands of states.
Regional grid operator PJM, which manages the electric grid for several East Coast and Midwest states, proposed an ability to cut power to new large consumers when it’s facing a shortage.
Its proposal would have applied to large data centers that don’t bring their own power sources.
However, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected PM’s proposal, saying it may violate the Federal Power Act.
The commissioners wrote that the law “leaves to the states alone ‘any other sale’ — most notably any retail sale” of electricity."
Source: The Hill, 10/14/2026
