Maryland Slapped With $2B Grid Bill to Power Out-of-State AI Data Centers

Short summary

Maryland ratepayers face a potential $400M–$2B surcharge over 20–30 years to upgrade the regional power grid, primarily driven by explosive AI data center growth in Northern Virginia. The Maryland Public Service Commission argues this violates ratepayer protections since Maryland subsidizes Virginia's economic development without tax benefits, triggering a federal regulatory dispute.

• •AI data centers in Northern Virginia consume massive power—a single facility uses as much electricity as 80,000–100,000 homes
• •Regional power upgrades will cost $5.2B; Maryland's share is projected at $400M–$2B, roughly $10–15/month per household
• •Maryland regulators filed complaints with federal regulators (FERC) claiming cost allocation violates ratepayer protection pledges

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