In recent years, big tech companies have inserted themselves into debates over both. The utilities pay for grid projects over decades, typically by raising prices for everyone connected to the grid. But suddenly, technology companies want to build so many data centers that utilities are being asked to spend a lot more money a lot faster. New data centers require utilities to spend billions of dollars on power lines and plants, which should lead to bigger profits for the utilities over time. “I think the tech companies’ being engaged in our industry makes this a very exciting time.