“飙升的电费”成为美国中选焦点，AI数据中心站上“政治火山口”

Core Viewpoint - Rising electricity costs are becoming a central issue in the U.S. political agenda, surpassing other types of inflation, with data centers being heavily criticized for their significant energy consumption [1][2]. Group 1: Political Implications - The Trump administration is actively engaging with state governors to address rising electricity prices, pushing for emergency power auctions and requiring large tech companies to either self-supply electricity or bear the costs of new power plants [1][2]. - Electricity costs in the U.S. increased by 6.7% year-over-year as of December, with a cumulative rise of approximately 38% since 2020, while overall consumer prices rose only 2.7% during the same period [2]. - The political pressure surrounding electricity prices is evident, with various state governors expressing concerns about the impact of rising costs on consumers and the need for regulatory scrutiny of utility companies [3][4]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The increase in electricity prices is attributed to multiple factors, including aging infrastructure, natural disasters, state renewable energy initiatives, and fluctuations in fuel costs [3][8]. - The demand for electricity is shifting due to electrification, the return of manufacturing, and the retirement of coal plants, which is tightening regional electricity markets and increasing costs passed on to consumers [8][9]. - Goldman Sachs suggests that investors should hedge against the political risks associated with AI and data centers, as policymakers are increasingly vocal about the energy consumption of data centers [2][10]. Group 3: Industry Response - Data centers are being labeled as the scapegoat for rising electricity costs, leading to debates about cost allocation between residential consumers and large commercial clients [6][12]. - Goldman Sachs has identified three primary concerns regarding data centers: the substantial cash flow investments in infrastructure, the accuracy of measuring capacity demand, and the potential regulatory controls that may arise from the upcoming midterm elections [11][12]. - The firm recommends several trading strategies to mitigate risks associated with the political landscape, including investing in non-tech companies that enhance productivity through AI and hedging against volatility in AI-related stocks [11][12].