Data center growth is straining the US power grid, a warning sign that's bad for ordinary electricity users and for communities where these facilities get built.

• A transmission line failure at a Virginia data center made power flicker for millions across the East Coast for about 10 minutes.
• Experts fear a future glitch could destabilize the grid and not recover quickly.
• Data centers use so much electricity that they can now disrupt the surrounding power supply.
• Over 300 local bans and moratoriums are now pushing back against the data center boom.
• Tech firms like Meta are rushing approvals through deals with politicians who sign secret non-disclosure agreements, sidelining the public.

Outlook: Grid strain and local backlash will grow as data centers keep expanding faster than the power system can handle.