Overview
- President Donald Trump said Monday his team is working with tech companies on commitments to prevent higher residential utility rates from AI data centers, naming Microsoft as the first partner.
- Trump said Microsoft will start making “major changes” this week, though no specific measures were disclosed and the company did not immediately comment.
- Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith is slated to make an announcement at a Washington event on Tuesday, according to company notices referenced in reports.
- The move follows reporting on localized price increases and costly grid upgrades tied to rapid data‑center growth, as well as policy scrutiny and new rate structures in some states.
- Industry and utility voices dispute a simple link to higher bills, with Dominion Energy saying data centers pay their full costs and others noting on‑site power and potential price benefits from added load.