On May 7, 2026 the Institute for Energy Research hosted a webinar on the findings of a recent report on the relationship between data centers and electricity prices.
The surge in electricity use from AI-driven data centers has raised concerns about higher demand and rising power prices. While it is true that data centers consume a lot of energy, the evidence doesn’t fully support the claim that they are to blame for higher electricity rates.
IER’s expert panelists reviewed the analysis in our March report, “Have Data Centers Driven Up Electricity Prices?” They discussed the data and evidence, and examine the state-level policy choices fueling the increase in electricity prices.
Links:
- Report: Blue States, High Rates
- Report: Have Data Centers Driven Up Electricity Prices? The State-Level Data Don’t Support the Narrative
