Home - CBSNews.com | How the AI-driven data center boom is leading to skyrocketing energy bills

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Atlanta resident Carolyn Kayne’s electric bill has nearly doubled in two years, forcing her to turn off heat and water in her 3,000‑sq‑ft home, a situation echoed by many in Georgia as AI‑driven data centers—attracted by cheap power—spark a surge in electricity demand. A CBS News analysis shows Georgia Power imposed six rate hikes over three years while the Vogtle nuclear plant came online and data centers proliferated, pushing average residential bills from about $150 to $225 a month; similar spikes are reported in at least 13 states, with some consumers paying up to 267 % more than five years ago. Despite Georgia Power’s claim that it will not shift data‑center costs to residents and a recent rate‑freeze agreement to use large‑customer revenue for rate relief, advocates like Patty Durand warn that without stronger protections, bills will keep climbing, as illustrated by Kayne’s drastic measures and a recent Maine governor’s veto of a bill banning new data‑center construction.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-ai-driven-data-center-boom-leading-to-skyrocketing-energy-bills/

#CarolynKayne #JanetMills #GeorgiaPower #Vogtleplant #PattyDurand #AaronMitchell

Just voted in #Georgia

If you're also in Georgia, you have a rare chance to vote out 2 of the 5 #PSC officials who have raised power rates to the point that #GeorgiaPower is getting record profits

If you live in the US state of Georgia, early voting is underway for a very boring special election--but it's important that you vote, especially if you want to keep your power bills lower in the future. And your vote really counts.

#election #vote #georgia #georgiapower #utilities #usa

https://youtu.be/UgvE_gPi7Kc

#GeorgiaPower #Atlanta
"Georgia Power customers in metro Atlanta are reporting unexpectedly high electricity bills, with some seeing increases of over $300 despite maintaining consistent thermostat settings."

A gift from the President.

Georgia Power customers say their bills surged to nearly $800 over the last month

“We’ve had hot days, but that’s a huge leap.”
https://share.google/OaWjU0xNrIOeAB7Or

After five years of aggressive legal maneuvering, Georgia Power has lost its battle to stop Nestlé Purina from choosing a different Georgia utility that could deliver better renewable energy options to its factory. In doing so, Georgia Power not only lost a major customer, it handed Walton EMC a victory that may open a new pathway for large companies seeking renewable energy options in Georgia.

#EnergyMastodon #GeorgiaPower #EnergyTransition #Climate #PublicPower

https://energyandpolicy.org/georgia-power-nestle-legal-battle/

Power’s been out since early evening. The storm lasted maybe 5 minutes. Meanwhile, just a few houses away—lights are on, ACs running.

The outage map gives a 1pm restore time tomorrow… but no real info.

People are smart. Tell us what broke. Transparency builds trust.

#GeorgiaPower

“A single data center requires more energy than some municipalities, but it employs fewer than 50 people – a little less than a McDonalds.

Meanwhile, Georgia households and small businesses—not these corporations—are being asked to cover the rising costs of power generation.”

This this this

https://decaturish.com/2025/03/dear-decaturish-georgia-families-shouldnt-foot-the-bill-for-data-center-power-use/

#Georgia #GeorgiaPower #DataCenters #Energy

With our basement work, we no longer need the plug-in dehumidifier we’ve had there. Incredibly, Georgia Power will pick up dehumidifiers for free which saves me all the headaches of trying to dispose of an appliance with coolant!

https://www.georgiapower.com/residential/save-money-and-energy/products-programs/home-energy-efficiency-programs/refrigerator-recycling.html#how

#Homeownership #HouseProject2024 #BasementFinishingProject #Dehumidifiers #GeorgiaPower

Troubled #VogtleNuclear experiencing more troubles! Expansion will cost twice as much as planned -- $35 billion!

[Full article - was behind a paywall] #Georgia Power Plant #Vogtle #nuclear reactor back in service after valve issue shut it down

By Dave Williams
July 17, 2024 1:14 PM

"A nuclear reactor at Plant Vogtle that operators shut down last week is back in service and sending power to the electric grid, Georgia Power officials reported Wednesday.
Unit 3 at the nuclear plant south of Augusta, which went into full commercial operation last summer, was taken offline July 8 because of a problem with a valve on one of its three main pumps.

"Despite the shutdown, Unit 3 has operated at full power more than 98% of the time since it went into service last July 31. By comparison, the average capacity factor for the U.S. nuclear fleet was 93% last year, according to Georgia Power officials.

"Unit 3 and its companion - Unit 4, which went into full commercial operation in April - are the first new nuclear reactors built in the United States since the late 1980s.
The project was delayed by seven years, plagued by a series of cost overruns that drove up the final price tag to about $35 billion, more than twice the original estimate of $14 billion.

"Opponents of the nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle urged the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) in vain to cancel the project and instead step up the state’s commitment to expanding #renewable energy options.
The PSC voted last August to cap the costs #GeorgiaPower would be allowed to pass on to customers at nearly $7.6 billion, with shareholders picking up the rest.

"Georgia Power was a 45% partner in the Vogtle expansion, working with Oglethorpe Power, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) and Dalton Utilities."

https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/state/georgia/article290161744.html