What’s Really Driving Electricity Prices? It’s Not Data Centers (From The National Interest)

There is a myth gaining traction in both political parties and among the public that data centers are to blame for rising electricity prices and that, if the government just gets tough against Big Tech companies, all will be well. Like other far-flung conspiracies that offer simple answers to complex and daunting problems, and seek to take the responsibility off of politicians to find real solutions, that is wrong.

And a reminder: utility companies are still the ones sending out electric bills based on rates that are overseen and monitored by independent, legally rigorous utility commissions.

Big Tech’s commitments to purchasing large amounts of power for continuous 24/7 use at data centers that produce AI can be a catalyst for a more reliable electric grid, more abundant power, and lower electricity costs. Electric utilities and others should welcome these large customers, as many states have.

Paul Steidler discusses this in an Op-Ed in The National Interest here.