CITY, State (Fox News) — Rising electricity costs in the U.S. are being attributed to Artificial Intelligence and data centers, with American consumers paying 42% more in December 2025 compared to a decade ago.

## Energy Consumption and Growth
In 2024, U.S. data centers used more than 4% of total U.S. electricity consumption, equivalent to the annual electricity use of Pakistan. By the end of the decade, data center consumption is expected to grow by 133%, using as much power as France.

## Commonwealth Edison’s Challenges
Commonwealth Edison is facing a surge in data center connection requests totaling over 30 gigawatts, leading to a $15.3 billion 4-year grid update request to meet the growing demand.

## Fusion Energy and Geothermal Power
Commonwealth Fusion Systems is exploring fusion energy as a new resource, utilizing Artificial Intelligence to advance its development. Meanwhile, Zanskar is using AI to optimize geothermal energy production, making it a cost-effective power source.

## The Future of Energy
Both geothermal and nuclear fusion can provide energy regardless of weather conditions, potentially alleviating grid strain during severe weather events like Winter Storm Fern.

By implementing AI-driven technologies, companies are aiming to revolutionize energy production and reduce costs in the long run.