US Energy Secretary Pushes FERC for Direct Grid Access for BTC Mining and AI Operations
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has been urged to draft new regulations by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Large electrical users, such as AI data centers and Bitcoin mining operations, would be able to swiftly and directly connect to the power grid due to these regulations. Wright requested faster evaluations from the FERC, the independent body that oversees the interstate electrical system, in a letter published on Thursday. Additionally, he asked that standard operating procedures be established so that major electricity consumers, rather than relying solely on local power lines, can connect directly to the high-voltage transmission system.
United States electricity demand is expected to grow at an extraordinary pace, due, in large part, to the rapid growth of large loads. Although there are several drivers to this demand growth, such as home and vehicle electrification, increasing quantities of large commercial and industrial loads, most notably data centers, are connecting rapidly to the transmission system.
Wright
Bitcoin Miners Could See Faster Power Connections Under New Regulations
In an X post on Friday, CleanSpark CEO S. Matthew Schultz stated that FERC will have to speed up connections in accordance with the new regulations. Particularly, these regulations would be applicable to flexible loads like data centers and Bitcoin mining activities.
This is a major signal that DOE recognizes the value of flexible demand in strengthening the grid,
Schultz
In order to run their mining rigs, which verify transactions and produce new blocks, Bitcoin miners need a lot of power. The hashrate increases with the number of miners, contributing to network security.
Proposed Regulations Could Revolutionize Grid Access for Large Energy Users
Artificial intelligence data centers and bitcoin mining companies have been vying for access to affordable, renewable energy. Over the next ten years, it is anticipated that this competition will draw new institutional investment. Wright proposes that under the proposed regulations, significant power users who want to connect would undergo expedited evaluations in 60 days rather than years. Only if the applicant satisfies specific requirements, like agreeing to cover any required network upgrades, will this fast-tracking be applicable. He requests that FERC reply to his letter by April 30, 2026, at the latest, within the next six months.
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