Georgia Senator Ossoff launches probe into AI data centers, rising electricity bills

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) has launched a federal inquiry into the impact of the expanding artificial intelligence (AI) data center industry on electricity bills in Georgia and across the country. In a letter sent to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Laura V. Swett, Senator Ossoff expressed concern that the surging energy demand from large-scale data centers is driving up utility costs for residents. Georgia has become a significant hub for AI investment, attracting over $4.5 billion in venture capital since 2019. This growth has coincided with a substantial increase in electricity demand, with data centers requiring vast amounts of power, leading to what Ossoff describes as "sky-high power bills" for households. Senator Ossoff is pressing FERC to clarify whether major technology companies' public commitments to cover their energy and infrastructure costs are credible and enforceable. He also questioned how the agency is adapting its forecasting models to account for AI-driven energy demand growth and sought updates on a pending federal rulemaking process regarding how large energy users connect to the power grid. FERC has been asked to provide a formal response by June 1st, 2026.