Trump expands voluntary pledge to curb AI data center power costs

Nearly 200 entities, including 23 Republican governors and major utilities, have signed President Donald Trump's expanded "Ratepayer Protection Pledge," a voluntary commitment aimed at shielding households from rising electricity costs driven by AI data centers. The White House claims the pledge now covers 80% of U.S. power delivery Source: AP News.

What the pledge entails

The pledge, first announced in March with tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta, asks companies to fund their own power infrastructure rather than passing costs to consumers. The expanded version adds utility companies such as NextEra Energy and Duke Energy, state governors, and data center developers Source: Tom's Hardware. Trump stated, "Electricity bills for American families will actually come down" Source: The Next Web.

Criticism and skepticism

Critics note the pledge is non-binding and lacks enforcement mechanisms. Jesse Lee of Climate Power called it a "pinky promise" Source: Engadget. A Consumer Reports survey found 75% of adults doubt developers will cover all costs Source: The Next Web. The Sierra Club's Patrick Drupp said, "Today's pledge is a paper-thin commitment" Source: The Guardian. Meanwhile, PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. grid operator, saw a 75.5% increase in power costs due to data centers Source: Tom's Hardware. ICF estimates monthly bills could rise 15-40% by 2030 Source: AP News.