The Essential Services Commission has announced a reduction in Victoria’s default electricity prices to apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
Victorian Labor
Victorians are dealing with higher interest rates and household budgets are under pressure.
Have Data Centers Raised Your Electric Bill? Causal Evidence from the United States
We estimate that data centers caused average retail electricity rates to fall modestly in the United States from 2015 to 2024 using an instrumental variables approach. Despite prevailing sentiment, the finding is consistent with economic reasoning: existing large power system fixed costs, economies of scale in transmission and distribution, and declining unit costs for generation imply that durable demand growth lowers average prices. We find patterns of economies of scale for transmission, distribution, and generation costs as well as within and across retail customer classes. We caution that future supply constraints could reverse the effect.
Have Data Centers Raised Your Electric Bill? Causal Evidence from the United States
We estimate that data centers caused average retail electricity rates to fall modestly in the United States from 2015 to 2024 using an instrumental variables approach. Despite prevailing sentiment, the finding is consistent with economic reasoning: existing large power system fixed costs, economies of scale in transmission and distribution, and declining unit costs for generation imply that durable demand growth lowers average prices. We find patterns of economies of scale for transmission, distribution, and generation costs as well as within and across retail customer classes. We caution that future supply constraints could reverse the effect.
Electricity prices rising by double the rate of inflation. Data center demand means no relief ahead, analysts say
The impact of the AI industry on electricity prices has turned into a major political flashpoint ahead of the midterm elections this November.
It may be almost impossible to make data centers pay their ‘fair share’ of electricity costs
Setting a price for power might seem straightforward, but in reality it’s extremely complicated – and residential customers have very little influence in the decision.
It may be almost impossible to make data centers pay their ‘fair share’ of electricity costs
Setting a price for power might seem straightforward, but in reality it’s extremely complicated – and residential customers have very little influence in the decision.
Election fight heats up over proposed $7.6 billion powerline through Victoria
A key issue shaping up for this November's state election is Victoria's power supply. The Labor government has signed a deal for $7.6 billion powerline, while the Coalition has hardened its stance to block the project.
Victorian election 2026
The Victorian state election on 28 November 2026 is a chance for Victorian decision-makers to take action so all Victorian renters can live with dignity in safe, secure and affordable homes.We’re calling on all political parties and candidates, both current and incoming, to commit to stronger protections for the 2 million Victorians who rent their homes.
Amazon Data Centers In Mississippi Have Already Raised Electricity Rates for Local Customers, Report Suggests
Three Amazon data centers aren't even open yet, but local residents are already paying at least $10.60 extra per month for them, according to a new study.
Comeback Town: Birmingham residential electric bills are 41% higher than Huntsville’s
Birmingham cannot change its electric utility overnight. But Alabama can change the way that utility is regulated.
Mississippi “Data Center Giveaway Law” Leaves Residents in the Dark and Could Already Be Costing Utility Customers ~$11/mo.
A state law is failing to protect households from potentially rising power bills. How lawmakers and utilities can fix this.
2026 Victorian Election
Take action now DONATE TO POWER THE CAMPAIGN This state election will determine what climate policies guide us into the next decade. Will we abandon our hard-fought progress, or will we ramp up ambition? None of us can change things as individuals, but together we can change what’s politically possible. In the coming months
Levy secretly added to Victorian public transport fares scrapped as Labor admits it ‘did not pass the pub test’
Premier confirms levy, which was intended to help pay for the Suburban Rail Loop and other Big Build projects, will be abolished
Austerity and climate (in)action
In the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, many governments implemented austerity policies aimed at reducing budget deficits through public spending cuts. This column examines the rollout of programme awarding grants for home energy efficiency upgrades in the UK examine the extent to which cuts to local government finances may have impacted efforts to promote climate action. The findings suggest that austerity, combined with poor digital skills, undermined local authorities’ efforts to effectively carry out a climate action policy that was centrally planned but locally administered.
Jess Wilson vows to scrap VNI West Powerline and turn to gas in major Victorian energy election reset - The Australia Today
“Victoria doesn’t need more unnecessary poles and wires that bulldoze through regional communities"
