The complex nature of utility rate-setting often means the costs of new generation and transmission infrastructure are socialized, leading to double-digit rate hikes that disproportionately burden low-income ratepayers. This session will explore the escalating tension between rapid data center buildouts and energy equity. Panelists will explore how the clean energy industry can intervene to limit this financial burden. We will discuss the deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) as load-balancing solutions, analyze new regulatory frameworks like "take-or-pay" tariffs that force massive energy users to pay their fair share, and identify actionable strategies to shield vulnerable communities from the hidden costs of the digital economy.