The U.S. Secretary of Energy has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to create new rules to allow large electricity consumers, such as AI data centers and Bitcoin mining operations, to connect directly to the power grid more quickly.
In a letter released Thursday, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright asked FERC, the independent agency that regulates the interstate power grid, to authorize an expedited review and create standardized procedures for large power users to connect directly to high-voltage transmission systems, not just local transmission lines.
High-voltage transmission systems have a higher voltage capacity than local lines and are typically used in large industrial facilities that consume a higher percentage of electricity.
“U.S. electricity demand is expected to grow at an extraordinary pace, primarily due to rapid growth in large loads,” Wright wrote.
“There are several factors contributing to this increase in demand, including the electrification of homes and vehicles, but large amounts of commercial and industrial loads, especially data centers, are rapidly being connected to the power transmission system.”
Bitcoin miners and AI centers will benefit
S. Matthew Schultz, CEO of Bitcoin mining company CleanSpark, said in an X post on Friday that under the rules, FERC would be required to expedite connectivity for “flexible loads such as Bitcoin mining and data centers.”
“This is a big sign that the Department of Energy recognizes the value of flexible demand in strengthening the grid,” he said.
sauce: S. Matthew Schultz
Bitcoin miners require large amounts of electricity to operate the mining rigs that validate transactions and create new blocks. The more miners that participate, the higher the hashrate, which helps make the network more secure.
Reviews only take 60 days
Under the new rules, an expedited review of whether high-power users can be connected could be completed in 60 days, rather than years, if applicants meet criteria such as agreeing to pay for any network upgrades that may be needed, Wright suggested.
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Wright is asking FERC to respond to the letter within the next six months, but no later than April 30, 2026.
Bitcoin mining companies and artificial intelligence data centers are increasingly competing for access to cheap and sustainable energy, suggesting they could bring in new institutional investment over the next decade.
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