Podcast Summary

What Next: TBD | Tech, Power, and the Future

Episode: The Senator Going After Data Centers
Host: Lizzie O’Leary
Guest: Senator Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, Maryland)
Date: February 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the growing impact of data centers on U.S. electricity costs, local power grids, and public policy. Host Lizzie O’Leary speaks with Senator Chris Van Hollen about his proposed "Power for the People" bill, which targets the burden data centers place on utility infrastructure and consumer electricity bills. The conversation expands to touch on federal vs. state policy, the interplay of tech and politics, current government funding standoffs, and Van Hollen’s evolving political stance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Problem: Data Centers & Rising Electricity Costs

• Senator Van Hollen stresses that consumers, particularly in Maryland and other states on the PJM grid, are increasingly paying for the immense power demands of new and existing data centers.
  • “Consumers are having to pick up the bill for data centers. And the richest companies on the planet, a lot of these AI companies.” (02:19)
• He worries about reliability: unchecked growth of data centers could lead to brownouts and blackouts.
  • “We want to make sure they don’t experience the brownouts and blackouts that are anticipated in the event that data centers start sucking up so much electricity on the grid.” (02:55)

The "Power for the People" Bill: Mechanisms & Goals

Key Features:

• Establishes a separate rate class for data centers—akin to a "super industrial rate."
• Empowers grid operators to refuse data center connections if conditions aren’t met.
• Requires data centers to:
  • Supply and pay for their own power
  • Shoulder the costs of infrastructure upgrades, not ratepayers
  • Favor lower-carbon energy sources and fair labor practices
• Why federal action?
  • State regulations are inconsistent and insufficient for regional grid impacts.
  • “When a company, including a big data center, comes and says, I want to hook up to the electric grid, there's no mechanism in place for that grid to be able to say no.” (03:56)

Industry Response: Pledge vs. Policy

• Companies like Anthropic have stated they’ll cover cost increases and infrastructure upgrades where necessary.
  • O’Leary questions if this is preemptive regulatory avoidance (05:20).
• Van Hollen is skeptical of voluntary commitments:
  • “That's worth whatever the paper's written on. What we want to do is make this part of the statute...” (05:54)

Federal & State Politics

• The White House and DOE have made high-profile announcements, but Van Hollen finds their measures toothless:

  • “They’ve also not focused as much on making sure these mechanisms are in place... DOE ... actually looks more like just a blank check to accelerate the access of data centers to the grids without the protections for consumers.” (06:38-07:17)

• States, notably Virginia, are courting data centers with heavy tax incentives, causing costs to spill across state lines on shared grids:

  • "When a data center moves in Virginia, that additional cost is paid by Marylanders and everybody else who's part of the PJM grid.” (07:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why a separate data center rate class is needed:
  • "We don’t want you, me, and, you know, my constituents having to pick up the bill.” (05:12)
• On industry self-regulation:
  • “What we want to do is make this part of the statute so that ... what people say ... in a press release that it actually happens." (05:54)
• On state incentives:
  • "I don’t think Virginians will like the idea that they're paying higher electricity costs in order to bring more data centers to Virginia.” (07:43)

Beyond Data Centers: Broader Political Landscape

DHS Funding & Government Shutdown (10:41–14:00)

• Van Hollen discusses the ongoing showdown over DHS funding, emphasizing that Democrats want to rein in ICE while maintaining funding for other agencies like TSA and FEMA.
  • "Republicans are holding those agencies within DHS hostage because they refuse to rein in the lawless ICE operations." (11:28)

Immigration Enforcement & Local Controversies (15:32–17:55)

• O'Leary questions Van Hollen about local support/opposition to ICE detention facilities in Maryland, to which Van Hollen responds with concerns over humanitarian impacts and community burdens.
  • "The people in that community do not want ICE to have that big detention center.” (16:12)

Political Activism and Presidential Ambitions (26:52–28:51)

• O’Leary notes Van Hollen’s transformation from a “reasonable centrist” to a more outspoken lawmaker.
• On whether he’ll run for president:
  • "I intend to have a significant voice in shaping the direction the Democratic party takes beyond 2026... But to your point ... it can’t just be what we’re against. It has to be what we’re for.” (27:21–28:28)
  • "But I am in this fight for the long haul." (28:46)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:20] — Introduction to data center issues and guest (Sen. Van Hollen)
• [02:13] — Why focus on data centers and Van Hollen’s bill explained
• [03:20–05:20] — Mechanism of the bill; rate classes and federal power
• [05:20–07:21] — Industry commitments, skepticism, and state vs. federal dynamics
• [10:41–14:00] — DHS funding standoff and Democratic goals
• [15:32–17:55] — Local controversy over ICE facilities in Maryland
• [26:52–28:51] — Van Hollen’s political evolution and rumored presidential run

Tone & Language

The exchange is pragmatic, policy-focused, and urgent; Van Hollen is candid, critical of both corporate and governmental “toothless” actions, and determined to link day-to-day consumer realities to larger systemic challenges. O’Leary balances skepticism with curiosity, probing for clarity and pressing on political ambitions.

Summary

This episode of What Next: TBD shines a light on the escalating clash between technological infrastructure and public good. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s "Power for the People" bill seeks to make Big Tech pay its own way rather than pushing the costs and reliability risks onto ordinary people. The conversation transcends the energy debate, revealing a lawmaker growing ever more assertive—and possibly positioning for higher office—amid a turbulent national political landscape. For listeners, it’s an urgent look at how future tech policy will shape not just the economy, but the resilience and equity of American life.