Electricity costs are rising in Georgia and across the country — and could get even higher for some amid the explosion in data centers powering AI and more.

Why it matters: Surging power bills could further stress many Americans' budgets as pretty much everything else gets more expensive, too.

By the numbers: Georgia's average retail residential price for 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity rose from 14.93 cents to 15 cents between May 2024 and May 2025, per the latest available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a gain of about 0.5%.

• That statistic includes all utilities, not just Georgia Power, which provides electricity to 2.8 million ratepayers, mostly in metro Atlanta.

Context: Georgia Power residential customers using more than 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month are paying about $43 more than they did at the end of 2022, according to the utility.

• That increase has helped pay for Plant Vogtle's two new over-budget nuclear reactors and fuel costs.
• Add a July with record-high temperatures and it becomes clearer why some customers saw their electricity bills double or triple.

Caveat: In July, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a plan to keep Georgia Power rates stable through 2028.

• However, the utility next year will ask the regulators to pass clean-up costs related to Hurricane Helene and other storms on to customers.

Zoom in: Georgia Power wants to add 9,000 megawatts of capacity by 2031 to handle a (potentially overestimated) data center boom, according to Georgia Recorder.

• 80% of that new electricity would be consumed by data centers and generated mostly using fossil fuels.

The intrigue: In January, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a rule change that the utility regulator says would protect residential ratepayers from surges in demand from data centers.

• A bill to codify that policy, which consumer advocates say could provide ratepayers with stronger protections, passed out of committee during the most recent Georgia General Assembly but did not receive a full vote.

The bottom line: Many of us are paying for the AI boom, whether we use the tech or not.

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The acclaimed chef behind Michelin-recognized Lyla Lila is breathing new life into one of Atlanta's underappreciated spots for a sit-down restaurant.

Driving the news: Elise, Craig Richards' new French-Italian restaurant facing the High Museum of Art, is now open.

Zoom in: Located in the former Table 1280 space, the restaurant is serving up small plates (scallop crudo with melon and bronze fennel), pastas (tagliatelle with rabbit ragu) and entrees (halibut with ginger beurre blanc).

• Desserts include housemade gelati and sorbetti, a chocolate mousse punctuated with za'atar, and more.

The wine menu favors French labels "from celebrated appellations to lesser-known winemakers bringing fresh perspectives to traditional styles."

• Look for a curated vermouth menu and creative cocktails from beverage manager Eric Potrikus.

The look: Designers Smith Hanes Studio lightened up the Renzo Piano-designed space with brighter wood floors and added red and green colors to contrast with museum white walls.

What's next: Weekday lunch, a five-course tasting menu and wine pairings.

State of play: Elise is open Tuesday through Sunday at 5pm. Reservations online

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A community hub where Black residents, entrepreneurs, creatives and the like gather and exchange ideas is raising money to construct a commercial building where businesses can operate.

Why it matters: As the Atlanta Beltline and developments surrounding the multi-use path spring to life around the city, the cost to lease retail space has increased, making it harder for legacy business owners to keep their operations in the neighborhood.

The latest: The Ke'nekt Cooperative earlier this month launched its One Acre for Change campaign.

• Founder Kiyomi Rollins told Axios the cooperative wants to raise $2.4 million to acquire the site and another $5 million to build the facility.
• The campaign, which launched earlier this month, has raised nearly $160,000.

Zoom in: The new 20,000-square-foot building would be near Westview Cemetery, about three blocks from the existing space on Ralph David Abernathy, Rollins said.

• Ke'nekt envisions the building having gathering, office and co-working, retail and "co-living concept" spaces.
• Rollins said she would ideally like to partner with nonprofits and other entities for financing and fundraising.

What they're saying: "Our mission statement is that we're a Black, liberated third space where the community gathers, and that's what happens in this space," Rollins told Axios.

• The hub, she said, offers an intergenerational vibe similar to the time when churchgoers mingle with each other before going home.

What's next: Rollins said she would like to see construction begin in February 2026 and for the space to open in August 2027.

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The United States Postal Service later this year will issue a commemorative forever stamp in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

Driving the news: The art for the stamp was unveiled Monday at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains.

• The stamp will be issued at a ceremony in Atlanta on Oct. 1, which would have been Carter's 101st birthday, It goes on sale at the same day at post offices around the country.

What's next: USPS will begin taking pre-orders by customers for the stamp starting Sept. 1.

🗳️ The Georgia Secretary of State's Office will cancel the registration of nearly 500,000 inactive voters this week. (AJC)

👩🏽‍🌾 A 10-year-old girl, who lives in South Fulton and is the youngest certified farmer in the country, has been awarded a full-ride scholarship to an HBCU to study agriculture. (11 Alive)

⚖️ A federal appeals court ruled Eric André and Clayton English can proceed with their lawsuit against the Clayton County Police Department for allegedly racially profiling them at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. (Fox 5)