EEI - Edison Electric Institute Inc.
07/24/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/24/2026 13:08
ICYMI: Electric Companies Unlock Rate Freezes, Grid Investments, and Economic Development Through Data Center Agreements
ICYMI: Electric Companies Unlock Rate Freezes, Grid Investments, and Economic Development Through Data Center Agreements
ICYMI: Electric Companies Unlock Rate Freezes, Grid Investments, and Economic Development Through Data Center Agreements
WASHINGTON (July 24, 2026) - EEI Vice Chairs Drew Marsh, chair and CEO of Entergy, and Chris Womack, chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company, highlighted electric companies' successes protecting customers while powering economic development on a national stage Thursday afternoon.
Speaking during a White House event for the expanded Ratepayer Protection Pledge, Marsh and Womack emphasized the customer benefits that have been unlocked in their communities.
Key Takeaways:
1. Grid-Connected Projects Save Customers Billions
Grid-connected data centers pay for infrastructure and energy projects that benefit everyone, reducing price pressures for customers and upgrading the grid with modern, efficient, weather-resilient infrastructure.
- For example,Entergy estimates its 2.3 million customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi will see $7 billion in total savings from its work with data centers.
- NiSource, similarly, expects customers will save $1.4 billion from its data center work.
Because of the new business from data centers, multi-year customer rate freezes have been approved in states like Alabama, Georgia, and Iowa and proposed in Michigan.
What They Said:
"Through the work and the revenue we are getting from data centers, we were able to freeze rates through the latter part of this decade. On a nominal basis, you're actually seeing rates go down. In Georgia, you're seeing rates go down by $1.6 billion. … We are seeing reductions of $7 billion in costs to customers as we make additional investments in the grid, improve reliability and resiliency, and build the generation we need to meet energy needs." - Southern Company's Chris Womack
"All of the modern, resilient, efficient infrastructure that's being built to support Meta also supports other customers on the grid." - Entergy's Drew Marsh
2. Coordination Among Government, Industry, and Communities Is Key
Electric companies work with regulators and with federal, state, and local officials to ensure data center developers pay their fair share to access the grid.
Customer and community engagement is also critical to explain benefits and ensure projects support the surrounding region.
- Local success is due in part to fair share agreements that ensure developers and tech companies pay for the new energy infrastructure their facilities need.
- To date, electric companies and regulators have adopted fair share agreements in 24 states, with decisions pending in six others, including in Oklahoma, where Oklahoma Gas & Electric recently filed a proposal with its state commission.
- Duke Energy recently announced a Customer Protection Pledge similar to the Ratepayer Protection Pledge that will "help more communities benefit from AI-driven growth and power the next chapter of economic opportunity," Duke Energy President and CEO Harry Sideris said in a statement.
What They Said:
"This effort that we've undertaken in Louisiana is a great example of stakeholders working together to bring business and communities together, to protect existing customers, and to move with speed to win the AI race." - Entergy's Drew Marsh
"The Ratepayer Protection Pledge aligns with how we view and how we work with data centers and hyperscalers, making sure we are investing in the grid at the same time we are providing stability for the families and businesses and communities we are privileged to serve." - Southern Company's Chris Womack
3. Projects Enhance American Competitiveness and Unlock Opportunity
The economic development, tax revenues, jobs, and community investments that are unlocked as hyperscalers connect to the grid improve quality of life for customers across the country.
- In North Carolina, Duke Energy has is helping create 2,000 temporary jobs and 500 permanent jobs inRichmond County through their data center work with AWS, expanding the county's tax base and driving new businesses and economic development.
- Entergy estimates thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be unlocked in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi as a result of their work with data center developers.
What They Said:
"Data centers are not raising electricity prices because of how we are managing this growth. We need to talk about the positive benefits that these facilities bring to communities." - Southern Company's Chris Womack
"This is how we win the AI race and responsibly serve all of our customers at the same time." - Entergy's Drew Marsh
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About EEI
About EEI
EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide safe, reliable electricity for nearly 250 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States and drives economic growth and prosperity. EEI also includes hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.
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