The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published an analysis examining whether data centers deserve the primary blame for electricity price increases and grid stress attributed to them in public debate. The piece weighs data center load growth against other demand drivers and considers the role of policy choices, grid underinvestment, and fuel costs in shaping electricity outcomes for consumers. The analysis does not fully absolve data centers but challenges narratives that treat them as the singular cause of utility cost burdens. The framing is likely to factor into ongoing federal and state legislative debates over how to regulate large-load customers.