President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Monday that Microsoft will announce changes to ensure Americans do not face higher electricity bills as the company builds more data centres to meet rising demand for artificial intelligence.
“I never want Americans to pay higher Electricity bills because of Data Centers,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Therefore, my Administration is working with major American Technology Companies to secure their commitment to the American People, and we will have much to announce in the coming weeks.”
As the country heads towards the midterm elections, the President has been looking for ways to reduce costs for consumers. This comes as the impact of tariffs imposed last year continues to affect the economy. In December, he announced a 1776 dollar warrior dividend for US soldiers. Earlier this month, he also pushed for the purchase of 200 billion dollars in mortgage bonds in an effort to bring down home loan rates.
At the same time, large technology firms are rapidly building power intensive data centres to support the AI boom. Many of these companies have told investors they plan to increase capital spending. Last week, one major social media firm announced deals with three nuclear power companies for a data centre in Ohio.
Trump praised Microsoft for its efforts to keep costs under control and hinted that other firms may follow a similar path.
“First up is Microsoft, who my team has been working with, and which will make major changes beginning this week to ensure that Americans do not ‘pick up the tab’ for their POWER consumption, in the form of paying higher Utility bills,” he wrote.
Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A business news network had earlier reported that US consumers paid six percent more for electricity in August compared with a year earlier, including in states with a large number of data centres.
Microsoft has said it is mindful of how its projects affect local communities. “I just want you to know we are doing everything we can, and I believe we are succeeding, in managing this issue well, so that you all do not have to pay more for electricity because of our presence,” company president and vice chair Brad Smith said at a town hall meeting in Wisconsin in September.
However, the company has also pulled back from some plans. It recently withdrew a proposal for a data centre in Caledonia, Wisconsin, following strong local opposition.
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