The Scale of AI and Planning for Responsible Energy Growth
New data centers are reshaping our energy landscape. With the right policies, this growth can mean lower bills, a more reliable grid, and breakthroughs in science and medicine. Explore the data and help shape better outcomes for your community.
Energy Growth Has Always Driven Progress
From electrification to the internet, new demands on our energy system have preceded breakthroughs that improved daily life. AI-powered data centers are accelerating research in medicine, materials science, and clean energy itself.
The question isn't whether to build — it's how to build responsibly so that communities benefit and household bills stay affordable. This site gives you the real numbers so you can be part of that conversation.
The Data Center Boom by the Numbers
Today, data centers make up about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity consumption (176 TWh in 2023). By 2030, this share is projected to reach 6 to 9%, adding an estimated 50 to 65 GW of new electricity demand — equivalent to building 50 to 65 nuclear power plants.
This growth, driven by the AI revolution, has led to a backlog of power demand. U.S. utilities have received interconnection requests totaling over 1,000 GW — though historically only about 13% of such requests reach commercial operation. Even so, the scale creates a supply-constrained market where infrastructure planning is critical.
Projected Data Center Demand by State
Data: Utility interconnection queue requests (SemiAnalysis)
Sources: LBNL 2024 Report,U.S. DOE,Grid Strategies,EPRI,LBNL Queued Up.
What This Means for Your Electric Bill
One large data center campus uses as much power as 300,000 homes. Here's how costs flow to your bill.
How Costs Flow to Your Bill
The Impact on Your Bill Varies Widely
The impact of data center growth on your electricity costs depends on where you live and how your utility manages new large loads.
Well-Managed Growth
-$5 to $0
per month change
When data centers pay their fair share and operate flexibly, they add revenue to the grid — which can reduce costs for households
Poorly Managed Growth
+$20 to $35
per month increase
Rapid growth without proper cost allocation or operational requirements
The difference between these outcomes comes down to policy and operational design — and communities have a voice in both.
Use our calculator to see projections specific to your utility and community.
How Responsible Development Lowers Your Bills
When data centers are built with proper cost allocation and flexible operations, they bring new revenue to the grid, fund infrastructure upgrades, and can reduce what households pay. Here's how that works.
Fair Cost Allocation Through Good Policy
A single large data center can contribute tens of millions in annual grid payments — revenue that offsets costs for all ratepayers when allocated properly. The critical question is: who pays for new infrastructure?
- →With good policy, data centers pay their fair share of the costs they create
- →Without good policy, existing customers may subsidize data center infrastructure
- →When done right, more customers sharing the grid can lower costs for everyone
Example: In Virginia, electricity bills have been rising in part because data centers aren't fully covering the infrastructure costs they create.
In contrast, some states charge data centers based on how much they contribute to peak demand—giving them a financial reason to operate in ways that benefit everyone.
Flexible Data Centers Maximize Benefits
How a data center operates matters as much as how big it is. Flexible operations can protect communities:
- ✓Flexible loads can reduce power use during peak demand, avoiding costly infrastructure
- ✓On-site generators reduce reliance on the shared power grid
- ✓During emergencies (like heat waves or storms), data centers can cut back so homes have power
Always-On
Highest cost
Flexible
Lower impact
Optimized
Minimal cost
Advocate for Your Community
What's Driving Better Outcomes
Virginia's new GS-5 rate class requires data centers to pay minimum demand charges of 85% for transmission and distribution
Texas SB6 requires large loads to curtail during grid emergencies and reevaluates transmission cost allocation
60+ bills in 22 states focused on ratepayer protection; voter concerns are reshaping utility elections
How You Can Take Action
Advocate for large loads to pay their fair share of infrastructure costs they create
Contact your state legislators about data center cost allocation legislation
Advocate for incentive structures that promote load flexibility during grid stress events
Customize for Your Community
Enter your utility's actual numbers to see a more accurate projection for your specific situation.
Open CalculatorUnderstand the Math
All our calculations are based on publicly available data. Review our methodology and sources.
View MethodologyOpen Source & Community Driven
This tool is free, open source, and not affiliated with any data center company or utility. Our goal is to provide objective information so communities can make informed decisions.
View on GitHub