The public data worth keeping an eye on.
Most of what matters in data center power — queue backlogs, new generation, fuel prices, permit limits — is published for free. It's just scattered. These are the sources I check, grouped by what they're good for.
INTERCONNECTION QUEUES
Berkeley Lab — Queued Up
Annual national roll-up of every active interconnection request across ISOs and utilities. The best single source for queue volume, wait times, and completion rates.
PJM New Services Queue
Project-level status for the largest data center market in the country, including Northern Virginia and Ohio.
ERCOT Generation Interconnection Status
Monthly GIS report for Texas — large loads, new gas, and storage projects moving through ERCOT.
CAISO Generator Interconnection
Queue and cluster study documents for California and the western grid.
SPP Generator Interconnection
Queue and study status for the Southwest Power Pool footprint.
GENERATION & GRID DATA
EIA Form 860M — Monthly Generator Inventory
Every operating, planned, and retiring generator over 1 MW in the U.S. Useful for spotting new turbine and BESS installs near data center clusters.
EIA Electric Power Monthly
Generation, fuel consumption, and retail sales by state and sector.
Grid Status
Live and historical ISO load, pricing, and fuel mix in one interface.
FUEL, PERMITTING & REGULATORY
EIA Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Price
Daily benchmark gas price — the number that drives BTM turbine and recip operating cost.
EPA RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse (RBLC)
Searchable database of air permit determinations. A good look at what emission limits regulators have set on comparable turbine and engine projects.
FERC eLibrary
Filings, orders, and dockets — including large-load co-location and interconnection rule changes.