Economic Development Business Solutions

February 13, 2026

New Report Finds Data Centers Aren't Driving Up Electricity Rates

Analysis conducted by Charles River Associates also finds U.S. electricity rates stable amid deregulated market challenges and data center growth.

An independent analysis conducted by Charles River Associates (CRA) found that average retail electricity rates in the U.S. have largely tracked inflation during the past five years. The study concluded electric rates have remained stable throughout most of the country, with upward shifts primarily confined to California and states in New England driven mostly by local factors rather than the result of a nationwide trend.

“This analysis underscores the important work America’s electric companies do every day to deliver reliable electricity and keep customer bills as low as possible,” said Drew Maloney, president and CEO of the Edison Electric Institute. “While CRA’s report makes clear that our industry is making good progress for most of the country, we also understand we have more work to do as we serve American families and local businesses. The report also highlights just how important responsible partnerships are to ensuring that data centers pay their fair share and deliver tangible benefits to communities across the nation.”

According to CRA's study, 68% of states, including Missouri, experienced below average electricity rate increases over the past five years. In areas experiencing higher than average increases, the study pointed to localized issues playing an important role. In deregulated markets like New York and other New England states, higher prices in the wholesale energy markets caused rates to increase. This region of the country is subject to dramatic price swings because utility providers in those states don't own their own generation – unlike Missouri.

When compared to other states, Missouri was well below the national average in terms of the five-year change of retail electric rates. According to the study, the national average of the increase in rates over a five-year period was 4.0 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh). While the largest five-year increase was experienced in California at 11.8 c/kWh, Missourians only experienced a 2.2 c/kWh increase over the same period.

"Ameren Missouri understands every family is impacted by rising costs, from groceries, to housing, health care and everything in between," said Rob Dixon, vice president of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs for Ameren Missouri. "Our company is doing everything we can to keep electric rates as low as possible, while still providing reliable service to all of our customers. The study released by CRA reaffirms our approach, and points to Missouri's regulatory environment as an important factor in helping keep rates lower than in other states."

In terms of data centers, the study found that customers in most states, including Missouri, have not been impacted by these large electric users.