Bernie Sanders and Ron DeSantis: AI's Impact on Your Electric Bill

How Are Bernie Sanders and Ron DeSantis United on AI and Your Electric Bill?

In an unexpected political alignment, Senator Bernie Sanders and Governor Ron DeSantis are both sounding alarms about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on electricity bills. Although these two politicians rarely agree, their shared concern over the energy demands of data centers highlights a pressing issue for all Americans. As AI technology expands, its effects on infrastructure and utility costs are becoming increasingly significant.

What Is Driving the Growing Demand for Energy?

The PJM Interconnection, which manages the largest power grid in the U.S., recently reported a notable shortfall in its reliability target for the 2027/2028 delivery year. This is the first time the entire PJM region, serving 65 million people across 13 states, has missed this target. The main culprit? Data centers.

• For the upcoming delivery year, PJM fell 6,625 megawatts short of its reliability target.
• Out of a 5,250 megawatt increase in forecast peak load, 5,100 megawatts came directly from data centers.
• By 2030, data centers are projected to demand over 30 gigawatts of peak capacity.

This surge in electricity demand from data centers is more than a minor inconvenience; it poses a long-term threat to energy availability and pricing. According to Bloomberg, without new generation infrastructure, the U.S. could face a 60 gigawatt shortfall over the next decade—equivalent to the output of 60 nuclear reactors.

How Will Rising Energy Costs Impact Your Electric Bill?

As demand for electricity increases, so do prices. Estimates indicate that electricity costs in PJM territory could rise by over $100 billion through 2033, resulting in an approximate $70 monthly increase per household. This trend is not isolated; national residential electricity prices rose 5% in 2025 and are expected to climb another 4% in 2026. The reality is clear: every time you turn on the lights, you may be indirectly subsidizing massive GPU clusters operated by tech giants.

What Political Responses Are Emerging?

The backlash against data center expansion is gaining traction, with moratorium movements emerging in at least 14 states. Public opposition is not just a fleeting trend; it has become a pivotal issue in local elections. Town councils across the nation are discovering that rejecting data centers resonates well with voters.

• Michigan has seen 19 towns pause data center developments.
• Georgia witnessed eight towns and counties passing moratoriums in 2025.
• New York proposed a three-year statewide freeze on new data centers.

Critics argue that local communities were not consulted before these mega-facilities were proposed. Rural areas, often targeted for data center construction due to perceived lower resistance, are organizing against these developments. Residents in Saline Township, Michigan, are currently facing a 2.2 million square foot Oracle and OpenAI facility under construction, raising concerns about environmental impacts and resource consumption.

What Are the Broader Environmental Impacts?

While rising electricity costs grab headlines, the water consumption of data centers also warrants attention.

• A large data center can consume 5 million gallons of water daily, equivalent to the daily usage of a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
• By 2028, AI-related data centers in the U.S. could require 32 billion gallons of water annually.

Northern Virginia, home to over 300 data centers, recorded nearly 2 billion gallons of water consumption in 2023, a 63% increase since 2019. Alarmingly, two-thirds of U.S. data centers built since 2022 are located in water-stressed areas, yet these companies face no obligation to disclose their water usage.

How Do Sanders and DeSantis Frame the Issue?

Despite their differing political ideologies, Sanders and DeSantis frame the conversation around data centers similarly. Sanders views it as corporate greed, where trillion-dollar companies offload infrastructure costs onto families. Conversely, DeSantis emphasizes the need for government intervention to protect residents from tech oligarchs. Both agree on the necessity of regulating this burgeoning industry.

The issue of data centers is rapidly becoming a local election topic, with bipartisan support for moratorium bills. The AI industry has largely treated energy and water consumption as mere engineering challenges. However, resistance from local communities indicates that these are becoming political challenges as well.

What Lies Ahead for Data Centers?

As Big Tech companies like Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon invest hundreds of billions into AI infrastructure, they face growing opposition and logistical hurdles.

• Meta has committed $115 to $135 billion in AI capital expenditure for 2026.
• Collectively, Big Tech is approaching $700 billion in AI spending this year.

The industry’s strategy has been to relocate to areas with fewer residents and weaker regulations. However, this approach is not sustainable. The growing moratorium movement is outpacing data center development.

Conclusion: What Should You Expect?

The intersection of AI technology and local utilities is a complex issue that transcends political divides. With rising energy demands from data centers impacting electricity and water resources, the implications for everyday Americans are significant. Both Bernie Sanders and Ron DeSantis highlight a critical concern that demands urgent attention. As this conversation evolves, staying informed about how these developments may affect your utility bills is essential.

Ultimately, AI's biggest constraints may not be technological but rather rooted in the physical world—electricity grids, water tables, and the communities that house these infrastructures.