Trump wants Big Tech to build its own power plants. That's already starting to happen.
Business Insider
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
President Donald Trump has proposed a mandate requiring data centers to build their own power plants as part of his initiative to control rising electricity costs and ensure American AI dominance. This move aims to protect consumers from increased bills while addressing Big Tech's growing energy demands. Major companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Anthropic are set to sign a Ratepayer Protection Pledge, committing to constructing or acquiring private power supplies for their data centers. While these firms have clean energy goals, the majority of planned projects will initially rely on natural gas, highlighting practical challenges in transitioning to cleaner sources.
The Cleanview report reveals 46 U.S. data centers planning on-site power plants, with most using fossil fuels despite commitments to sustainability. This shift is driven by the AI boom's surge in electricity demand, which has led utilities to seek $31 billion in rate increases last year—a significant jump from previous years. States like Texas and Virginia are at the forefront of this trend, experiencing heavy data center development and corresponding infrastructure needs.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/25/2026