AI data centers are driving massive electricity demand, causing utility bills to surge and unpaid bills to reach $25 billion by 2025. Regulated utilities face pressure from rate increases and customer payment difficulties, while unregulated power providers and alternative energy companies are positioned to benefit from AI power demand without regulatory constraints.

Bloom Energy stock dropped over 10% after Crusoe Energy paused development of a 1.8 GW data center project in Wyoming where Bloom was set to supply fuel-cell systems. However, utility company Black Hills stated the project remains on track and expects it to begin by early 2028, suggesting the pause may not directly impact Bloom's revenue. The sell-off reflects investor concerns about potential slowdowns in AI spending and data center development.

The article recommends three Dividend King stocks (companies with 50+ consecutive years of dividend increases) as defensive positions during market uncertainty: PepsiCo with a 3.9% dividend yield and diversified snack/beverage portfolio, Black Hills utility company with a 3.7% yield and planned merger with NorthWestern Energy, and Colgate-Palmolive with a 2.3% yield and 63 years of consecutive dividend increases.

NextEra Energy and Black Hills are compared as dividend investment options. NextEra Energy offers higher dividend growth (~10% historically, expected to slow to ~6%) with a 2.6% yield, powered by its clean energy business alongside regulated utilities. Black Hills is a simpler regulated utility with Dividend King status, offering a higher 3.7% yield but slower growth. The choice depends on investor preference: NextEra for dividend growth investors, Black Hills for conservative income-focused investors seeking stability.

Black Hills Corp. announced a quarterly dividend of $0.703 per share payable June 1, 2026, to shareholders of record on May 15, 2026. The company will release its 2026 first-quarter earnings on May 6, 2026, followed by a conference call and webcast on May 7, 2026.

The article highlights three AI-related dividend-paying stocks: Qualcomm, which is expanding into mobile AI processors and data centers with a 2.9% dividend yield; Oracle, which is investing heavily in AI infrastructure despite recent stock weakness, with potential for strong future growth; and Black Hills, a utility positioned to benefit from AI data center demand in the Mountain West region with a 3.7% dividend yield.

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE:BKH) and NorthWestern Energy (NASDAQ:NWE) shareholders have approved an all-stock merger that will create Bright Horizon Energy Corporation, a regional regulated energy company serving customers across eight states. The merger, announced in August 2025, is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending federal and state regulatory approvals.

Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating three companies for potential securities law violations and breaches of fiduciary duties. Black Hills Corp. is merging with NorthWestern Energy Group, Clearwater Analytics is being sold to Permira and Warburg Pincus for $24.55 per share, and European Wax Center is being sold to General Atlantic for $5.80 per share. The firm is seeking increased consideration and additional disclosures on behalf of shareholders.

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE:BKH) announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.703 per share, up $0.027 from the previous quarter. The increase marks the company's 56th consecutive year of annual dividend increases, the second-longest streak in the electric and natural gas utility industry. The company has paid annual dividends for 84 consecutive years.

Black Hills Corp. has filed a rate review application with the Arkansas Public Service Commission seeking $29.4 million in new annual revenue to recover infrastructure and operational costs for its natural gas utility serving 189,000 customers.

Black Hills Corp. declared a quarterly dividend of $0.676 per share, payable on Dec. 1, 2025, for shareholders of record as of Nov. 17, 2025. The company will also release its Q3 2025 earnings and host a conference call on Nov. 6, 2025.

Black Hills Corp. announced a quarterly dividend of $0.676 per share, payable on Dec. 1, 2025, and scheduled its third-quarter 2025 earnings release and conference call for early November.