Story perspectives

Data Centers' Surge Strains U.S. Grid, Drives Up Costs

1/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

The rapid growth of data centers strains the aging U.S. electrical grid and raises household electricity costs.
Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta), Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft Corp.), and Amazon.com, Inc. are investing heavily in data centers, with expenditures reaching $40 billion annually.
By 2028 data centers are projected to use 6.7%–12% of U.S. electricity, while residential rates rose 5.2% last year, with some near centers rising as much as 267%.

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Story summary

The rapid growth of data centers strains the aging U.S. electrical grid and raises household electricity costs.
Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta), Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft Corp.), and Amazon.com, Inc. are investing heavily in data centers, with expenditures reaching $40 billion annually.
By 2028 data centers are projected to use 6.7%–12% of U.S. electricity, while residential rates rose 5.2% last year, with some near centers rising as much as 267%.