The state's utility regulators are considering an AEP Ohio plan to charge data centers more for infrastructure than other commercial users.
More than a dozen data center attorneys for companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Meta have been arguing against the idea at Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) hearings, which are expected to wrap up this week.
Proponents of the plan say data centers should pay more because the businesses use massive amounts of energy, often requiring new infrastructure, without offering the jobs and other development that many commercial operations have.
Ohio Consumers' Counsel attorney Bill Michael's line of questioning on Tuesday suggested the companies can afford to pay their fair share.
Michael stressed that companies like Amazon, Meta and Microsoft are worth trillions, while questioning Michael Fradette with Amazon Web Services.
"Mr. Fradette, you're aware that Amazon.com has a market cap of over $2 trillion, correct?" Michaels asked.
"Yes," Fradette said.
Michaels pointed out that the market caps of Meta, Google and Microsoft are $1.5 trillion, $2 trillion and $3 trillion, respectively.
Data center officials say the companies do contribute to economic development and provide important digital services.
The data centers that are flocking to central Ohio use massive amounts of electricity. It's so much electricity that PUCO is considering an AEP Ohio plan to charge the businesses more money up front than other commercial users.
Companies like Meta and Amazon argue they should pay for 70% of costs, while AEP Ohio wants them to pay 85%, a figure consumer groups and staff regulators are in agreement with.
The hearings are not streamed, but transcripts of the proceedings will be available on the PUCO website in the future.
The PUCO is expected to decide on the case in the next few months.
Members of the public can click here to view the case and add comments to the case using case No. 24-0508-EL-ATA.
