Overview
- Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, xAI, Oracle and OpenAI are expected at a White House event on March 4 to sign a nonbinding ratepayer protection pledge, officials said.
- The pledge calls on companies to build, bring or buy electricity for new AI data centers, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright indicating participants will also advance funding for some grid additions.
- The Department of Energy announced $26.5 billion in loans to Georgia Power and Alabama Power to add generation, storage, nuclear upgrades and transmission capacity to meet rising demand.
- Energy analysts and Democratic lawmakers warn the promises lack details and will not resolve costs tied to transmission, distribution and system readiness that typically flow to utility customers.
- Industry trackers count nearly 680 U.S. data centers in the pipeline, with equipment shortages and long lead times that could keep upward pressure on electricity prices despite self‑supply plans.