GOP governors, utilities join Trump data center pledge
President Donald Trump's "Ratepayer Protection Pledge," which commits data center developers to cover their fair share of energy, water, and grid improvements, is gaining support. Republican governors in Montana, Wyoming, and Missouri have signed the pledge, along with several large utilities. This initiative aims to address public concerns over AI's energy demands and rising electricity prices.
President Donald Trump is expanding his "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" for data centers, which ensures developers pay for their fair share of energy, water use, and electric grid infrastructure. The initiative has garnered endorsements from Republican governors Greg Gianforte of Montana, Mark Gordon of Wyoming, and Mike Kehoe of Missouri, with several large electric utilities also expected to sign.
A White House official, while declining to confirm specific signatories, stated that the pledge is attracting new support. This effort represents the Trump administration's ongoing strategy to alleviate public concerns regarding the energy consumption of artificial intelligence and rising electricity costs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average U.S. electricity prices have increased by 4 percent over the past year, surpassing overall inflation, with further increases projected.