ADDRESSING QUESTIONS REGARDING
NEW LARGE LOADS
Large Load Customers
We understand that many members of Inland Power have inquiries regarding major energy consumers, especially data centers. Collaborating with large load customers is not a new practice for us or others within our industry.
As a utility provider, it is essential for us to evaluate any requests from customers looking to connect to our system. We regularly receive such inquiries and have established a comprehensive review process. We cannot discriminate and must evaluate each potential new load project. While we evaluate each load, not every project moves forward.
What sets the current situation apart is the unprecedented volume of those requests from large loads that require new considerations for planning and coordination among all parties including data centers involved. Inland Power is committed to actively engaging in these efforts.
Our Commitment to You.
Our current members are our top priority.
Our primary focus is to support the homes and businesses that depend on us now.
Current members will not fund new growth.
Large energy consumers, such as data centers, cover all expenses associated with their services. This encompasses energy supply, transmission fees, system upgrades, studies, and planning. These costs are not transferred to you.
Reliability comes first.
We will only accept new large energy customers or data centers if we can ensure that our existing members receive safe and reliable service first. We do not divert power from homes or businesses in order to accommodate new customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will data centers increase my rates?
We understand affordability is important to our members, and our main priority is to provide reliable, affordable and clean energy services to those we serve. Members will not subsidize any new project. Any new large load will be responsible for all costs.
Large energy customers and data centers are not driving current rate increases. Rate changes are driven by:
• Rising energy supply costs across our industry
• Regularly maintaining and upgrading our system
• Keeping service safe and reliable
Does Inland Power have any projects underway related to data centers?
At this stage, Inland Power has not approved or committed to serving a data center project.
However, we have had several inquiries and system studies have been performed or are being performed.
If a data center moves forward, can Inland Power handle this increased level of energy demand?
For each inquiry, a system impact study will be performed to ensure that distribution requirements, transmission capacity and wholesale power purchases can be executed to serve any new large load. Protecting reliable service for existing Inland Power members would remain a central requirement throughout that evaluation.
What are the impacts to the environment of building an AI data center or any new large load in our region?
Inland Power is dedicated to providing responsible energy services while adhering to the clean energy and environmental standards relevant to our operations and the communities we serve. Any new electric service must comply with Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act, along with all applicable state environmental laws.
Why consider a large energy customer?
When executed properly, and with a focus on safeguarding current members, these projects can:
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Distribute system costs more effectively across increased energy usage
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Foster local employment and stimulate economic development
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Optimize the use of existing infrastructure
Who is involved in the approval process to move forward?
Inland Power is an energy provider. We’re just one part of the review and approval process. Our focus is solely on assessing whether we can deliver energy safely and reliably. However, any significant energy load or data center project requires a thorough review and must meet the approval criteria set by multiple agencies.
These include:
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Land use and permitting
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Water and environmental agency review
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Local and state governments
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State utility commisions
Ownership Structure
for Large Loads
The following is the proposed company ownership structure for IPL’s New Large Single Load (NLSL) customer base.
How does Inland Power & Light Co. (Inland Power) handle a New Large Single Load (NLSL)?
What does this structure mean to me as an
Inland Power member?
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All costs are paid by the NLSL to serve their load (including building or leasing any infrastructure and purchasing power).
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No “Tier 1” federal hydropower used to serve Inland Power’s members is used to serve a NLSL.
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Revenue collected from the NLSL will be used to offset Inland Power expenses as a long-term benefit to Inland Power’s membership.
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In short, there are no costs to Inland Power member and there is a potential revenue benefit for members over time.
(over 10 MW)
Do you have more questions regarding large load energy users and data centers?
Check back here for updates or contact us at inlandpower@inlandpower.com.
