Kentucky leaders align on protecting residents from data center energy costsKentucky Governor Andy Beshear talks about the gains in the economic growth f the state during the past year in Frankfort, Ky., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. The order requires companies to submit an initial energy plan proving their data center won’t raise electric bills for nearby homes and businesses. It also directs the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) to block any rate increases for utility companies seeking to recover costs tied to data centers. Moore supports the order but says the protections need to be written into law, arguing the current language doesn’t give regulators enough to work with. “If data centers require new infrastructure, the developers, not Kentucky ratepayers, should bear the cost,” Stivers said.