May 22, 2026 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
Regulators in Oregon have approved a new electricity rate class requiring data centers and other large loads to pay for the grid infrastructure they use. The Oregon Public Utility Commission approved the rules under the POWER Act, signed into law in August 2025.
The act establishes a new rate class for data centers and crypto mining operations with loads of 20MW or more, requiring them to fully cover their energy supply costs. It also mandates long-term utility contracts to reduce stranded-asset risks for ratepayers. Following approval by the Oregon Public Utility Commission, Portland General Electric must file a new pricing framework by June 3, with the new rates taking effect June 10. According to spokesperson Ben Morris, 16 data centers in Oregon will be immediately affected and required to help cover grid upgrade costs.
The order also requires data centers to meet renewable energy requirements before going live and introduces exit fees for projects that are abandoned mid-development. The Data Center Coalition criticized the changes, with VP of energy Aaron Tinjum calling them “out of step” with other states. Oregon is part of a wider trend of states tightening rules to shield ratepayers from rising grid costs driven by data center demand. Earlier this month, Oklahoma enacted a law under Governor Kevin Stitt aimed at limiting ratepayer exposure to infrastructure costs. Florida also passed similar legislation requiring large users to pay their full cost of service.
