U.S. electricity demand was largely flat for decades. Now the outlook has shifted as data centers and other large users seek more power from a grid that plans years in advance. Who absorbs the cost of meeting demand the system did not see coming?

Electricity rates already face pressures that have little to do with the current demand surge. Much of the grid is aging, while severe weather and costly equipment are increasing the cost of maintenance.

New demand adds to those pressures, leaving regulators and utilities to decide not just how to serve the load but how to share the costs.

Rob Gramlich, founder and president of Grid Strategies, has testified before Congress on rising U.S. electricity demand. Like many in the industry, he was initially skeptical that the latest forecasts would prove real. He joins Market Insider to explain why this time looks different and what the changing outlook could mean for existing customers.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.