**[Analysis: AI Data Centers Have Increased U.S. Electricity Costs by $23 Billion, Burden Likely to Be Passed to Residents]** BlockBeats News, July 14 — According to a report cited by *Fortune*, the rapid expansion of AI data centers in the U.S. has significantly driven up public electricity costs. The PJM market monitoring agency, which oversees the power grid across 14 states in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions, estimates that the additional electricity demand from data centers will result in approximately $23 billion in extra costs for electricity users, with this impact expected to last at least until the end of 2028. The report notes that although several major tech companies have pledged to cover the costs of new electricity infrastructure, expenses related to public facilities such as transmission lines, substations, and grid upgrades are typically distributed by regulatory agencies, meaning some of these costs may still be passed on to residents and ordinary commercial users. The research also highlights that some data centers can flexibly adjust their electricity usage to reduce consumption during peak grid periods, thereby lowering costs allocated based on peak load. However, they still consume large amounts of electricity, which may result in their actual costs being lower than the pressure they exert on the grid. Analysts believe that as the construction of AI infrastructure continues to accelerate, issues such as electricity cost-sharing mechanisms, data center electricity pricing, and rising residential electricity rates are becoming critical challenges for U.S. energy regulators. [Original Link]