Google objects to cost-shifting risks in MISO fast-track proposal
Google LLCCompany submission to FERC
Google objects that MISO's proposed large-load study process lacks adequate cost-shifting protections. It says that threatens its commitment to keep other customers from bearing its data-center costs.
“The lack of cost shifting protections is especially concerning”
Reporting
Other statements by Google LLC in this case
- Google's Marsden Hanna says Google is committed to paying the incremental grid costs of its data centersEarlier: Defended or excused
- Google says it pays for any new infrastructure costs directly driven by its growthEarlier: Defended or excused
- Google defends sharing the cost of grid upgrades with broad regional benefitsEarlier: Defended or excused
Where this statement fits
Should Google have to pay the full cost of shared grid upgrades its data centers trigger?
On January 12, 2026, Google told Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen and Richard Blumenthal that it pays for all the electricity its data centers use and that it, not local residents, pays for new grid infrastructure required for its growth. On January 22, Warren said that paying an electricity bill is different from fully covering the infrastructure upgrade costs of Google's data centers. An October 2026 report by the three senators said the companies, including Google, commit to paying for infrastructure that serves only their facilities but not the full cost of wider network upgrades. In June 2026, testimony filed for Google in a Virginia utility case recommended letting large customers voluntarily pay the full upfront cost of the substations that serve them. On July 31, Virginia regulators ordered Dominion Energy to develop a policy assigning data centers the cost of the transmission that connects them, and Appalachian Power says revenue from Google's new load in Botetourt County will cover $264 million in upgrades. The dispute is over whether Google should pay the full cost of the shared grid upgrades its data centers trigger, rather than leaving part of that cost with other customers.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Google and separate state and environmental coalitions object to the proposal. Their filings have not been adopted by FERC.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The October 23 filing addresses the proposed LARS study process.
After the quotation
Google says a promised later cost-allocation framework leaves unanswered questions. FERC has not ruled on these objections.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is shifting data-center infrastructure costs to other customers. Google expressly criticizes that risk in the proposed process.
- Recorded on
- Published here
More from this case
Read the full caseWarren and colleagues challenge shared-cost shifting
“But data center developers have refused to commit to shouldering the full costs of wider network upgrades incurred due to their data centers. Put another way, the companies commit to paying for infrastructure that solely benefits them, but dispute how much they should pay for shared infrastructure that is paid for by all ratepayers but was only built to accommodate the data center.”Read statement
Appalachian Power says other customers are not expected to pay for the $264 million in grid upgrades for Google's Botetourt data center
Appalachian Power
“In this case, the project adds a large new customer load, which is expected to bring in enough additional revenue to cover the cost of the transmission line and substation upgrades. Because the added revenue is expected to offset those costs, other customers are not expected to pay more because of this work”Read statement
Data Center Coalition says data centers are already picking up more of the cost of transmission
Data Center Coalition
“This order will continue and likely accelerate the recent trend of large users like data centers picking up more of the cost for transmission infrastructure while the share of costs borne by residential ratepayers continues to decline”Read statement
Share or embed this statement
The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the statement page.
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Google objects to cost-shifting risks in MISO fast-track proposal
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/6995-google-objects-that-miso-s-proposed-large-load
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Google objects to cost-shifting risks in MISO fast-track proposal". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/6995-google-objects-that-miso-s-proposed-large-load