As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow and expand, its impact on utilities is becoming increasingly significant. Lawmakers in Washington are debating whether technology companies should pay for the enormous strain AI is placing on the nation’s power grid.

The Issue

Most people think of AI as software, but behind the scenes, massive data centers are working around the clock, filled with thousands of computer servers that use an incredible amount of electricity. Some of the newest AI data centers being built could eventually require as much electricity as two million homes.

This growing demand is forcing utility companies to build more infrastructure, including substations, transmission lines, and additional power generation facilities. Consumer advocates worry that some of these costs could eventually show up on residential electric bills, arguing that families shouldn’t have to subsidize some of the world’s wealthiest technology companies.

The Debate

The technology industry counters that data centers also bring economic benefits, creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and often improving local infrastructure in the communities where they’re built. The growth is happening rapidly, with the United States already having thousands of data centers in operation, and major expansions underway in states including Virginia, Georgia, Arizona, Ohio, and Texas.

Experts estimate that data centers now account for roughly 4.5 percent of all electricity consumed in America, and this number could double within a few years. Electricity isn’t the only concern, as these facilities also require enormous amounts of water to keep thousands of computer chips cool, with some large data centers using millions of gallons of water every day.

Congress is now debating legislation called the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require utilities to create rules that shift the cost of power grid upgrades to large energy users, including many AI data centers, instead of passing those costs on to residential customers.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.