Block the Data Center Utility Mega-Merger

NextEra and Dominion want to create a $67 billion utility giant — and federal regulators must stop it before households are forced to pay the price. The companies are pitching this merger as a response to rising power demand from AI data centers. But consumer advocates warn that the deal could create an enormous, hard-to-regulate utility monopoly with more power to raise rates, influence politicians, and shift the costs of data center growth onto ordinary families. That is not the public interest. Data centers are already straining power grids, driving expensive infrastructure fights, and raising serious questions about who pays for the electricity boom. Regulators should not reward two massive utilities with even more market power just because Big Tech wants more energy. Tell the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other state and federal regulators: block the NextEra-Dominion merger and protect ratepayers from a data center-driven utility power grab. If this merger goes through, the new company would serve millions of customers across multiple states. That scale could make it harder for communities to fight unfair rate hikes, harder for regulators to enforce accountability, and easier for corporate executives to use the data center boom as an excuse to expand infrastructure while customers absorb the risk. Utilities are supposed to serve the public. They should not be allowed to use public concern about electricity demand to consolidate power, boost shareholder returns, and lock families into higher bills for years to come. State and federal regulators have the authority to scrutinize this deal, demand proof that it benefits the public, and reject it if it would harm ratepayers, competition, or the clean energy transition. They must use that power now. Add your name to demand regulators block this utility mega-merger before data center greed drives up costs for everyone else. The petition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other state and federal regulators reads: "Block the proposed NextEra-Dominion merger. Protect ratepayers from a data center-driven utility mega-merger that would concentrate corporate power, raise costs, weaken accountability, and undermine the public interest."

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NCLC on Twitter

“Ben Kaufman & Claire Torchiana @theSBPC and Stephanie Hall @TCFdotorg joined Kyra Taylor & Anna Anderson @NCLC4consumers to discuss emerging predatory trends in the higher education space and share possible litigation approaches. #CRLC2022 #ProtectConsumers #ProtectBorrowers”