The issue of shutoffs was also discussed Wednesday at the launch of Bright Future Maryland, a coalition focused on energy costs.

The Office of People’s Counsel breaks down how the electric demands required to support data centers are driving up costs for Maryland customers in three main areas.

Across multiple legislative sessions, lawmakers have attempted to lower skyrocketing utility bills for Marylanders, mostly through incremental steps.

The new law calls for the centers, which are notorious for massive energy consumption and criticized for various climate concerns, to upgrade their own infrastructure to avoid overburdening Maryland’s already overburdened grid.