AI infrastructure is driving electricity costs higher: US industrial electricity prices in the top 5 states with the most data centers have surged +43% over the last 5 years. These states are Virginia, Texas, California, Illinois, and Ohio. By comparison, prices have risen +26% nationally over the same period. Prices in both groups rose at a similar pace up until late 2022, coinciding with the release of ChatGPT in November 2022. In those 5 states, household electricity costs have increased +7.0% annually since 2022, outpacing the +5.5% national rate. Consequently, electricity prices in CPI inflation have soared +36% since 2020, while overall inflation has increased +25%. AI demand is driving household power bills higher.(The Kobeissi Letter)