Episode 18: AI, Data Centers & the Big Billionaire Bill: Rising Power Demand, Soaring Prices, and Grid Risk

AI isn’t virtual — it’s physical, and it’s hungry for power. In this episode of The Clean Energy Edge, Russ Bates and Brian Scott uncover how U.S. data centers already consume 176 TWh a year (over 4% of national electricity) and are on track to double by 2030 and hit nearly 10% by 2035. We break down what that means in kWh per person, translate it into gigawatts of constant load, and compare it to the generation capacity the U.S. has online today. Then we examine how the Big Billionaire Bill could slash clean energy growth by more than 50%, just as PJM warns of 30–60% higher retail rates and Texas passes laws to cut data center power during emergencies. We connect the dots on why electricity prices will climb, blackout risks will rise, and what solutions — from decentralized solar + storage to holding Big Tech accountable for time-matched clean energy — could help keep the lights on.