Overview
- President Trump unveiled the expanded Ratepayer Protection Pledge Wednesday at a White House event joined by Energy and EPA officials.
- The White House says the voluntary pledge now includes roughly 200 signatories and covers about 80% of electricity delivered to U.S. homes and businesses, with utilities and data‑center firms listed among new backers.
- Signatories pledge to pay above‑normal rates or shoulder upfront grid costs so those expenses are not billed to residential customers, but the commitments carry no formal penalties for noncompliance.
- Independent grid data show why the pledge was launched: transmission congestion in the PJM region jumped about 81% to $3.2 billion in 2025 and recent auctions pushed power prices to record highs, prompting some local moratoria and project downsizing.
- Practical limits mean state public utility commissions, regional transmission organizations and FERC controls over markets and upgrades will determine who ultimately pays, so ratepayers could still face higher bills if regulators or markets shift costs.