Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast The Electricity Crisis with Costa Samaras
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Sep 23, 2025 Costa Samaras, a climate and energy expert from Carnegie Mellon, explores the impending electricity crisis as the U.S. faces unprecedented demand driven by AI and data centers. He highlights the rising costs of electricity linked to climate impacts and historical inefficiencies. Discussion includes the challenge of utility infrastructure and the need for targeted investments. Samaras emphasizes innovative solutions like rooftop solar to mitigate price pressures and enhance equity in energy access. Tune in for insights on the future of our electrical grid!
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Electrification Will Drive Large Demand Growth
- Electrification will sharply raise electricity demand as we shift cars, heat, and industry onto the grid.
- Costa Samaras warns we are failing the test of building enough clean electricity infrastructure to meet that growth.
AI And Data Centers Are A Rapidly Growing Load
- Data centers and AI have doubled U.S. electricity use share from ~2% to ~4% in a few years and could rise further.
- Costa Samaras says AI and data centers are the dominant energy story right now and drive major investment pressure.
AI's Energy Cost Comes From Compute And Cooling
- AI's power use is twofold: compute cycles through chips and extra energy to cool datacenters.
- Samaras explains rising AI demand plus cooling multiplies the overall electricity footprint.