Business Issues & Regulatory Models Topic Committee Presents:
Derisking New Construction Data Center Program
Overview:
As AI and digital services fuel unprecedented growth in data center energy consumption, this session explores how one program is proactively addressing the challenge. Through a comprehensive market assessment and a cross-jurisdictional policy review, the presentation will highlight strategies to streamline regulatory complexity and accelerate energy efficiency from the outset of data center development.
Key Themes:

The rapid rise in data center energy demand, projected to triple by 2028.

Oregon’s POWER Act and its implications for balancing data center growth with residential energy equity.

A national review of successful energy efficiency programs and utility models.

The role of data storytelling and integrated research in navigating policy and technical challenges.

Learning Objectives:

Policy Impact: Determine how local, state, and federal policies—like Oregon’s POWER Act—affect data center siting, rate structures, and energy program participation.

Program Design: Compare effective design strategies from successful data center energy efficiency programs across the U.S.

Strategic Communication: Demonstrate how to use data storytelling and cross-sector research to simplify complex energy issues and inform program development.

Speakers:

Jared Casey and Andrea Salazar, Michaels Energy

Adam Thomas, Acadis Consulting