Belden Brick and other industrial firms see electricity bills surge as AI-driven data centers strain regional grids and capacity charges soar.
A 90% increase in electricity costs for Ohio-based Belden Brick Co. highlights the financial strain on Rust Belt manufacturers. The company’s monthly capacity charge jumped from $1,600 to $12,000, driven by rising demand from nearby data centers supporting AI growth.
Manufacturers across the U.S. heartland report similar spikes, with factory power bills rising faster than residential or commercial rates. Capacity charges, typically 10% of residential bills, are designed to ensure grid stability but now disproportionately affect smaller industrial players.
Governments are pressuring Big Tech to cover more infrastructure costs, but proposals risk grouping factories with tech giants like Meta and Amazon, whose power needs dwarf those of traditional manufacturers.