U.S. Power Bills Keep Climbing as AI Demand Surges and Trump Slows Renewables

Overview

• Residential electricity prices rose as much as 25% in parts of the country over the past three years, driven by data center demand and costly grid upgrades.
• The Department of Energy urged FERC in a formal letter to address large new loads such as data centers, signaling urgency without prescribing a political solution.
• The administration has paused or revoked numerous wind and solar projects, accelerated fossil-fuel priorities, and taken steps to keep some coal plants operating.
• Energy Secretary Chris Wright said AI initiatives will eventually push electricity prices down, though he offered no specifics on how or when.
• The Energy Information Administration projects continued cost pressure in 2026 from data centers and cryptocurrency mining, as experts call for faster permitting and more generation of all types while Democrats press the issue politically after gains including a Georgia utility-board upset.