Maryland residents hit with $2 billion power grid upgrade bill for out-of-state AI data centers — state complains to federal energy regulators, saying the extra cost breaks ‘ratepayer protection pledge’ promises

Maryland’s consumer advocate has asked FERC to block PJM’s plan to assign the state about $2 billion of transmission upgrade costs tied to data center growth.

The office says Maryland customers could pay roughly $1.6 billion over 10 years for projects that mainly benefit other states and data center operators.

The dispute will help decide who pays for major grid upgrades needed to serve AI- and data center-driven power demand.

The outcome could affect electricity bills for households and businesses in Maryland and set a precedent across PJM territory.