The White House wants AI companies to cover rate hikes. Most have already said they would. | TechCrunch
TechCrunch
by Tim FernholzFebruary 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The White House has called on major AI companies to cover rising electricity costs resulting from the increased demand of their data centers, with several firms already taking action. President Trump emphasized that these tech giants should manage their own power needs to avoid passing on higher energy bills to consumers. Companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google have responded by building on-site power sources or investing in battery projects, such as Google's large-scale initiative in Minnesota.
The push comes amid rising electricity prices, up 6% nationally last year, raising political concerns ahead of the elections. While companies like Microsoft have committed to policies ensuring their data centers won't hike residential costs, the specifics of these arrangements remain unclear. The White House plans a formal pledge signing next week with major tech firms including Amazon, Google, Meta, and Oracle attending.
This move underscores the growing focus on sustainability and corporate responsibility in the tech sector. By addressing energy concerns, companies aim to mitigate public skepticism about data center expansion. However, challenges like environmental impacts and supply chain strains persist, highlighting the complexity of balancing technological growth with community needs.
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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/25/2026