AI is driving up electricity bills primarily through the massive energy demands of data centers running complex models.
Training and operating large-scale AI systems, like those used for generative tasks or machine learning, require significant computational power, often powered by energy-intensive GPUs.
For instance, training a single large language model can consume as much energy as several households use in a year, with estimates suggesting a single AI model training run can emit over 600 tons of CO2 equivalent, largely due to electricity use.
Data centers, which house these operations, are projected to consume 4-6% of global electricity by 2030, up from about 1-2% today, as Artificial Intelligence adoption grows.
For consumers, this can translate to higher electricity costs in two ways:
Direct Usage
If you use AI-powered services (e.g., cloud-based AI tools, smart home devices, or even streaming platforms with AI-driven recommendations), your devices may consume more power, especially if they’re running constant background processes or querying remote servers.
Indirect Impact
Utilities may raise rates as grid demand surges from AI data centers. In regions with heavy data center presence, like Northern Virginia or Silicon Valley, local grids are strained, potentially leading to higher costs for everyone.
Some reports indicate that data center electricity demand in the U.S. could double by 2030, pushing utilities to invest in costly infrastructure upgrades, which get passed on to consumers.
Energy Optimization
It’s been said that AI can optimize energy use for smart grids and AI-driven appliances can reduce household consumption by up to 10-20% in some cases.
Though Artificial Intelligence might optimize energy use in the long run, we already know that once the cost goes up, it never comes down.
We’ve seen the historical price increases for services and products over the years due to higher inflation. However, when the inflation goes down, the high prices remain.
Any savings that you might expect AI to deliver with regard to energy optimization will be negligible at best.
The net long term effect will lean toward higher electric bills due to the scale of AI’s energy footprint.
Saving Money
If you’re noticing a spike in your electric bill, check if your home devices (smart speakers, AI-enabled thermostats) are running constant updates or cloud queries, and consider auditing your usage patterns.
You might also save a bit of money on your electric bill by disabling the wi-fi on your thermostat, refrigerator, or any other item you might have in the home that consumes power via IoT connections.
AI also puts a strain on the batteries of your hand held devices, like your iPhone for instance. Turning off (or deleting) AI powered apps on your phone can extend your battery charge and life by a good margin.
Higher Prices Coming
NorthWestern Energy has already been raising it’s rates this year (with higher rates planned for the near future) and with the planned TAC Data Center expected to be built right here in Great Falls, our electricity rates will most likely more than double in just a few short years.
President Trump’s Executive Order No. 14224
President Trump’s Executive Order No. 14224, signed on March 1, 2025, designates English as the official language of the United States and rescinds a Clinton-era mandate (Executive Order No. 13166) that required federal agencies and recipients of federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.
There’s been quite a lot of talk about this executive order out there on the interwebs of late, what with most of the conversations revolving around the elimination of having to press 1 for English.
I, like most out there, can’t stand having to press 1 for English every single time we call for support or customer service. Often times upon after pressing 1 for English we get folks that can barely speak it anyhow so what’s the point?
President Trump’s Executive Order allows agencies to decide whether to continue offering services in languages other than English, emphasizing flexibility to prioritize English while not explicitly prohibiting multilingual services.
Regarding the specific phrase press 1 for English, commonly associated with automated phone systems, the executive order does not directly address private sector practices or mandate changes to such systems.
It focuses on federal government operations and agencies, encouraging English use to promote unity and efficiency.
Private companies, such as those operating customer service lines, are not obligated by this order to alter their language options, so whether or not you encounter press 1 for English depends on individual company policies, which remain unaffected by the order.
Since the order applies to federal agencies, not private businesses, you may still encounter press 1 for English in private systems unless companies voluntarily align with the order’s emphasis on English. Executive Orders only apply to the Federal Government and it’s agencies.
With regard to interactions with federal agencies (e.g., Social Security or immigration services), the order’s implementation could reduce multilingual options in some cases, but agencies can still choose to offer them. The practical impact remains unclear, as it depends on how agencies interpret and apply the flexibility granted by the order.
The White House stated that the order aims to “promote unity, establish efficiency in government operations, and create a pathway for civic engagement,” arguing that a shared language strengthens national cohesion and empowers legal immigrants to achieve the American Dream.
Supporters, including conservative activists like Charlie Kirk, celebrated the move as a step toward national unity, while critics, such as United We Dream and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, argued it could create barriers for non-English speakers, particularly in accessing healthcare, legal aid, voting, and education.
President Trump’s order has raised concerns among immigrant advocacy groups, who fear it may disproportionately affect the estimated 68 million U.S. residents who speak a language other than English at home, including 42 million Spanish speakers and 3 million Chinese speakers.
More than 30 states already designate English as their official language, and while the order does not ban multilingual services outright, its implementation could lead to reduced language access in some regions, depending on agency decisions.
Critics, including Puerto Rico’s resident commissioner, have voiced opposition, citing potential cultural exclusion, while supporters argue it reflects the reality of English as the dominant language in the U.S., where 78.3% of people speak only English at home, according to 2018-2022 Census data.
The long-term impact of Executive Order No. 14224 remains uncertain, as agencies have discretion to maintain existing language services, and future administrations could always reverse the policy since it’s just an Executive Order and hasn’t been codified via the Congress.