1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

The rapid proliferation of data centers across our nation is causing an alarming surge in electricity costs, and it's time for decisive action. As your constituent, I urge you to introduce legislation that ensures data centers bear the full cost of their energy consumption and infrastructure demands. Recent reports reveal a disturbing trend: in the mid-Atlantic region, data center demand accounted for a staggering 70% of recent electricity price increases. This translates to an additional $9.3 billion in electricity costs last year alone, a burden unfairly shouldered by regular households and businesses. The situation is equally dire in Oregon, where electric bills have skyrocketed by 50% over the past four years, largely due to data center expenses being passed on to all customers. The consequences of this unchecked growth are severe. In Oregon, we're witnessing an unprecedented number of utility disconnections, leaving families without essential services. This is not just an economic issue; it's a matter of social justice and equitable access to basic utilities. States like New Jersey, Indiana, and Pennsylvania are already taking legislative steps to address this crisis. I implore you to follow suit and champion a bill that mandates data centers to: 1. Pay the full cost of their electricity consumption without subsidies from other ratepayers. 2. Fund necessary grid infrastructure upgrades to support their operations. 3. Compensate for their environmental impact through investments in renewable energy and carbon offset programs. The scale of this problem is immense. Some data centers could require more electricity than cities the size of Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or New Orleans. As the AI race led by tech giants intensifies, this demand will only grow. We must act now to protect our communities from bearing the cost of corporate expansion. I ask you to stand up to powerful tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta, and ensure they pay their fair share. Our state's economic health and the well-being of your constituents depend on your leadership in this critical issue. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to seeing concrete steps taken to address this growing crisis and protect the interests of everyday citizens.