Conflict: Data centers now consume 4% of U.S. electricity and are projected to reach 12% by 2028. New hyperscale facilities are being permitted in communities that were never consulted. Tech companies argue they need reliable power to compete globally. Citizens argue corporations are hijacking public utility systems and driving up residential rates.
Forced tradeoff: Either permit data centers to build where power is cheap — accepting rising bills and grid strain — or restrict them and accept slower AI development and lost jobs.
Decision surface: Should regulators impose data center energy caps? Should utilities prioritize residential customers? Should data centers build their own generation before drawing from the public grid?
