Overview
- In his State of the Union, President Trump announced a voluntary pledge telling large technology companies to secure dedicated power for AI data centers so residential bills do not rise.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright said after the address that all major hyperscalers have signed on, and companies including Microsoft, Google and Anthropic have voiced support or described cost-covering measures.
- Google testified to House lawmakers that it pays for all the electricity it uses and structures contracts to cover incremental grid infrastructure needed for its facilities.
- Energy analysts and former regulators caution the pledge will not offset rising transmission, distribution and equipment costs, and note data centers will still rely on the grid and trigger new investments borne by ratepayers.
- Policymakers highlighted grid strain from a rapid buildout—nearly 680 U.S. data centers planned—while Congress pressed for faster permitting and more generation as details and enforcement of the White House pact remain unclear.