Economists say nuclear power might lower Ohio energy costs

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Electricity prices are rising in Ohio with increasing demand from data centers powering artificial intelligence. Adding power from nuclear plants would lower prices , a panel of economists said, but some also had doubts.

Gov. Mike DeWine and JobsOhio have been pushing tax incentives for data centers even though they create relatively few jobs. By one estimate, taxpayers are foregoing at least $1 million in revenue for each job created.

The centers have, however, dramatically increased energy demand in a state whose leaders have shown an inclination to gut efficiency programs . The state’s Republican leadership also has demonstrated a hostility to most renewable sources of energy.

They were not, however, hostile to nuclear energy in 2019, when some t