AI data centers, capacity charges, and grid investment are baked into your bill now. Here's what owners in each market are paying, why, and what to do about it.
The gap between wholesale spikes already locked in and what's been passed through to retail bills means increases are still flowing. EIA forecasts retail electricity up 13–18% across 2025–2026 by region.
| Metro | Rate (¢/kWh) | YoY change | vs. National | Grid | Compliance law |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 24.98¢/kWh | +7.0% | ~1.7× the national average | NYISO | Local Law 97 |
| Boston, MA | 22.63¢/kWh | +0.1% | ~1.6× the national average | ISO-NE | BERDO 2.0 |
| Denver, CO | 13.70¢/kWh | +11.3% | ~0.95× the national average | Western (Xcel Energy) | Energize Denver |
| Washington DC, DC | 20.81¢/kWh | +5.0% | ~1.4× the national average | PJM | — |
| US National average | 14.37¢/kWh | +5.8% | — | — | — |
AI infrastructure is responsible for roughly 50% of all new US electricity demand growth. The load is concentrated in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic grids — the same ones serving most of our launch markets. The capacity is already contracted; the rate increase is locked in for years.
PJM capacity prices hit $329/MW-day in 2026/27 — up from $29/MW-day in 2024. ISO-NE and NYISO face similar structural tightening. Capacity is now 30–40% of the all-in commercial rate, up from single digits. Building owners are paying for grid headroom they can't easily avoid.
T&D investment is up 300% since 2005 and is being recovered through rates. Unlike fuel (which swings), infrastructure capex is a fixed cost that compounds over decades. Every new line and substation becomes a permanent addition to the $/kWh.
The gap between wholesale spikes already locked in and retail bills is large. EIA forecasts 13–18% regional increases 2025–2026. Commercial demand is projected to surpass residential for the first time by 2027. Increases are not trailing off — they're accelerating.
Every kWh avoided is worth more than a year ago. Efficiency measures — envelope, controls, HVAC — reduce consumption permanently. The payback math improves every time the rate climbs. Owners who act now lock in savings calculated at today's rates and benefit further as rates rise.