California strikes deal on data-center energy rules to curb grid costs

California lawmakers reached a compromise on two bills to regulate data-center electricity use, directing the CPUC to craft special rates and require funding for grid upgrades and wildfire mitigation. The move aims to prevent data-center costs from being passed to other customers and to support clean energy goals, but faces objections from tech companies worried about higher costs and from communities concerned about water use, noise and utility bills as data centers expand across the state.