Planet Money What AI data centers are doing to your electric bill
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Dec 20, 2025 The rising costs of electric bills are linked to the explosive growth of data centers in the U.S. Tech companies are pouring billions into these facilities, impacting everyday consumers. A couple in Ohio shares how their electricity prices have nearly doubled, sparking discussions about the strain on power systems. Amidst soaring demand, utilities grapple with maintaining infrastructure and managing capacity costs, which ultimately push expenses onto residential customers. Join the journey through the complexities of energy economics shaped by tech's insatiable appetite.
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Retired Couple's Spreadsheet Reveals Rising Bills
- Ken tracked his household electricity use and bills in spreadsheets for five years.
- He noticed his per-kWh charge nearly doubled from ~11¢ in 2020 to ~19¢ in 2025 and wondered why.
Roadside Tour Of Data Center Boom
- Driving from Ken and Carol's house, the reporters saw miles of new data centers and construction.
- The landscape changed from farmland to large rectangular data center buildings and heavy infrastructure.
Data Centers Demand City-Scale Power
- Data centers request enormous power, from tens to thousands of megawatts, straining local infrastructure.
- AEP Ohio feared customers would bear costs if developers didn’t follow through on promised power use.