Powering a more affordable future with data centers
By Thomas Shumaker, State Director, Conservatives for Clean Energy
North Carolina families are paying more for electricity every year, and many are wondering why their bills keep rising even as the reliability of our power system seems to lag behind. After traveling across the state and talking with residents, one thing is clear: people are tired of being asked to shoulder higher costs without seeing meaningful improvements.
This past summer was a reminder of how strained our grid has become. During multiple heat waves, utilities asked families to conserve energy during peak hours to avoid possible outages. That meant turning up thermostats, delaying the use of basic appliances, and limiting electricity use during the hottest parts of the day. These requests are becoming routine, and they reflect a simple reality. Much of North Carolina’s grid was built decades ago and is not designed for the demand we are placing on it today.
Aging transmission lines remain vulnerable during extreme temperatures. When equipment needs to be upgraded or capacity expanded, the cost is usually passed directly on to the ratepayers. That has left many households and small businesses facing higher monthly bills while continuing to rely on an energy system that struggles during both heat waves and winter cold snaps.
North Carolina needs more tools to strengthen the grid while easing the burden on families. One of those tools is the responsible growth of data centers. Although the conversation around data centers often focuses on their energy use, they can play a much more constructive role when paired with the right policy framework.
In other states, data centers are helping fund grid improvements that would otherwise be paid for by consumers. These projects include weatherization upgrades, improved transmission capacity, and better resilience planning. When private investment helps modernize infrastructure, it reduces the pressure on families who are often asked to pay for these improvements through rate increases.
Data centers also bring operational flexibility that benefits the entire system. Many can shift computing activity to different regions during peak demand, which eases pressure on local grids during extreme weather events. They also often have on-site backup generation that keeps essential operations running without adding strain during temporary disruptions. And as companies increasingly turn to cleaner and more efficient energy sources, they contribute to a more diverse and stable energy mix.
It is understandable that some people have concerns about how data centers fit into the broader energy landscape. However, national projections show that they account for a smaller share of electricity demand growth than many other fast-growing technologies. The real issue in North Carolina is not any one type of energy user but a grid that has not kept pace with the state’s growth or modern energy needs.
Data centers can also bring significant economic benefits. They generate steady tax revenue that supports public services and infrastructure in the communities where they locate. That creates long-term value without raising taxes on residents.
North Carolina can continue placing the full burden of grid upgrades on families, or we can adopt a more balanced approach that brings private partners to the table. With clear standards and responsible planning, data centers can help us build a more reliable, more affordable, and more resilient energy future.
A stronger grid is not only a technology issue. It is a quality-of-life issue. And data centers can be part of the solution.
