Trump expands White House data center power pledge to utilities and governors

President Trump’s administration said it will broaden the White House’s voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge by adding state governors and electricity companies, as it seeks to prevent the fast-growing power needs of AI data centers from raising household utility bills. The White House described the move as historic and said 200 additional utilities, data center developers and states would join the initiative, which commits hyperscalers, AI companies, utilities and developers to build, bring or buy the power their facilities need and to cover the infrastructure costs required to deliver it. Trump used remarks at the Environmental Protection Agency to press local leaders and companies to win public support for data centers, saying communities that host them will become “rich” and urging them not to fight the projects. The expansion comes as concern grows over the economic and social effects of AI infrastructure. ICF has estimated that rising electricity demand from AI data centers could increase monthly utility bills by 15% to 40% by 2030. Public opposition remains significant. A May Gallup poll found that seven in 10 Americans oppose AI data center construction in their area, including about 48% who said they were strongly opposed, while slightly more than 25% favored it and only 7% strongly favored it. Concerns include higher electricity and water costs, quality-of-life effects and doubts about AI’s benefits. A June Johns Hopkins University poll also found strong support for greater AI regulation, with about 60% of respondents expecting AI to increase inequality over the next decade and four in 10 saying AI companies stand to gain the most from its expansion.