Brian Kemp, governor of Georgia, said policies in Georgia require major energy users, including data centers, to cover infrastructure costs, allowing residential utility rates to remain stable for the next three years amid growing electricity demand.
“I agree, Mr. President,” said Kemp. “Georgia’s growth has enabled us to freeze utility rates for three years and make sure large energy users pay more so hardworking Georgians pay less. We’ve shown that America can lead in AI and innovation, and protect consumers from rising costs.”
According to Kemp’s January 13 social media post on X, this policy aligns with national efforts to balance innovation and cost protection. The post was made in response to a presidential message regarding technology companies and electricity consumption.
Georgia regulators have approved Georgia Power’s plan to add 10,000 megawatts of capacity driven by data center demand. The structure requires large users to fund expansions, projecting $102 in annual savings for average residential customers starting in 2029. State audits estimate that data centers have resulted in $1.5 billion in tax exemptions since their inception but support substantial economic investments.
Residential electricity prices in the United States rose by 25 percent from 2020 to 2024, with average monthly bills reaching $156 by 2025. Data centers accounted for four percent of national electricity use in 2024 and are expected to double by 2030 due to artificial intelligence expansion. Government analyses indicate this demand contributes to rate increases, prompting calls for tech firms to cover infrastructure expenses.
Kemp was born on November 2, 1963, in Athens, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. Kemp served as a Georgia State Senator from 2003 to 2007 and as Secretary of State from 2010 to 2018 before his election as the 83rd Governor of Georgia in 2018. He took office in 2019 and won re-election in 2022.
