economy

How the AI-driven data center boom is leading to skyrocketing energy bills for many Americans

April 25, 2026 / 8:01 PM EDT / CBS News

How the AI-driven data center boom is leading to skyrocketing energy bills for many Americans

TL;DR

  • Carolyn Kayne's electric bills have almost doubled in two years, forcing her to take extreme measures to stay warm and live in a smaller part of her home.
  • The average electric bill for an average customer in Georgia has risen from approximately $150 to $225 per month.
  • Georgia Power has imposed six rate hikes in the last three years, coinciding with the Vogtle nuclear power plant going online and a boom in data centers.
  • The growing demand for data centers, fueled by artificial intelligence, is driving up utility bills nationwide, with some Americans paying up to 267% more for energy.
  • Maine's governor vetoed a bill to ban new data centers, emphasizing the need to examine their potential impacts.
  • Advocates warn that data centers could add billions to Georgia's electricity costs without better protections.
  • Georgia Power denies that residential customers will pay for the growth associated with data centers, stating they have implemented a rate freeze and will use revenue from large customers to lower costs for residents.