AI and energy costs: Market and policy solutions

Thursday, November 19, 2026, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. EST 
Online: https://www.brookings.edu/events/ai-and-energy-costs-market-and-policy-solutions/

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly, with tremendous potential for improving our lives. At the same time, electricity demand is growing significantly across the U.S., including by new AI data centers. It is essential that this demand is met if the U.S. wants to stay ahead in the race to develop the newest AI technologies and applications, but in a way that doesn’t burden ratepayers unduly and keeps electricity costs low for firms and private customers alike.

On Thursday, November 19, the Center on Regulation and Markets at the Brookings Institution will host a public event to discuss market and policy solutions that would facilitate the necessary buildout of energy infrastructure without burdening ratepayers and taking cost-of-living concerns into account. Part of the Center’s ongoing series, Reimagining Modern-day Markets and Regulations, the event will kick off with a keynote fireside chat with Representative Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), who has introduced legislation to protect ratepayers from energy price hikes driven by data centers.

Following the keynote, a panel of distinguished experts—including Sanjay Patnaik (Brookings), Martin Baily (Brookings), and Geoffrey Blanford (Electric Power Research Institute)—will offer their analyses and a path forward for policymakers and industry alike. Valerie Wirtschafter (Brookings) will moderate.

Online viewers can submit questions via e-mail to events@brookings.edu.