As the public backlash against data centers escalates across Illinois, newly disclosed records reveal that fees the controversial facilities paid to Commonwealth Edison over the last five years fell billions of dollars short of the total price tag expected to connect them to the electric grid. Public-interest groups warned Thursday…...
Data centers and your electric bills
Power bills are going up across the country, and the surge in data center development is a big reason. These facilities, which house computer systems used for storing, processing, and distributing digital information, use a tremendous amount of electricity–the largest data centers can consume as much energy as a mid-sized…...
FERC rejection of PJM data center plan makes state action last hope to protect consumers
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a ruling on PJM Interconnection’s proposed large load plan, rejecting measures that would have held data centers accountable for their costs. The decision, which flies in the face of the White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge, gives Big Tech the green light to…...
PJM enlists states in plan to hold Big Tech accountable for data center costs
PJM’s new plan would require data centers to bring their own energy or face power reductions—but relies on states to shield consumers from rising bills. After an uphill battle, CUB is relieved to deliver some promising news: It appears PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid operator, is finally taking…...
Will Illinois meet the moment to rein in data centers and save us from skyrocketing power bills?
By Sarah Moskowitz Executive Director Citizens Utility Board (CUB) (Note: A version of this opinion piece appeared in Crain’s Chicago Business on July 27, 2026.) This summer millions of Illinois consumers are paying power prices that are about 40-50 percent higher than what they were just two years ago, and…...
CUB thanks Gov. Pritzker for pausing new tax incentives for data centers, outlining framework for data center safeguards in Illinois
The following is a statement from Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s announcement today that he is pausing new data center tax incentives. The governor also outlined a framework for data center safeguards in Illinois. We thank Gov. Pritzker for taking action today by…...
