Data Center Demand has quadrupled, pushing the U.S. electric grid to a critical breaking point and sparking a massive $163 billion dispute over who pays for the necessary upgrades. Utility professionals must understand how this unprecedented load growth is forcing immediate, reactive measures—like conditioned interconnection agreements in ERCOT and federal shifts favoring dispatchable power for immediate reliability. We analyze the stark policy clash between federal "reliability first" mandates and state clean grid initiatives, alongside warnings of potential rolling blackouts in the West by 2026. Tune in to unpack these essential headlines and define your strategy around the looming battle over cost allocation for the grid of the future.