Are consumers doomed to pay more for electricity due to data center buildouts?

Data center giants like Amazon and Google are pledging to build their own power plants to avoid burdening consumers with rising electricity costs. This commitment, backed by President Trump, aims to shield consumers from the impact of increased energy demand from AI data centers.

Despite the pledge, experts warn that US data center power demand is set to triple by 2035, potentially leading to higher bills. States with data centers have already seen electricity costs rise by 16% in New Jersey and 19% in Pennsylvania, raising concerns about the effectiveness of these commitments.