Where AI data centers are reducing power bills

Over the last half decade, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-ai-data-centers-electricity-prices/?embedded-checkout=true" target="_blank">wholesale electricity prices have increased 267%</a> in places close to data centers. That’s contributed to a backlash against new ones. <br /><br />But some experts believe data centers are a scapegoat for long-term issues with an aging U.S. grid. Today on the show, we ask who is responsible for rising electricity prices and whether the U.S. can handle a new era of grid growth. <br /><br /><em>Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: </em><a href="https://www.planetmoneybook.com/#tour" target="_blank"><em>planetmoneybook.com/#tour</em></a><br /><br /><strong>Related episodes: </strong><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/02/03/nx-s1-5696566/all-these-data-centers-are-gonna-fry-my-electric-bill-right" target="_blank">All these data centers are gonna fry my electric bill … right?</a> <br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649814/ai-data-center-electricity-bill" target="_blank">What AI data centers are doing to your electric bill</a> <br /><br /><em>For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/" target="_blank"><em>plus.npr.org</em></a><em>.</em> <em>Fact-checking by </em><a href="https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez" target="_blank"><em>Sierra Juarez</em></a><em>. </em><em>Music by </em><a href="https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><em>Drop Electric</em></a><em>. Find us: </em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney" target="_blank"><em>TikTok</em></a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/" target="_blank"><em>Instagram</em></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney" target="_blank"><em>Facebook</em></a>, <a href="https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money" target="_blank"><em>Newsletter</em></a><em>. </em> <br /><br /><br />See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>