Microsoft announces glut of new data centers but says it won't let your electricity bill go up | TechCrunch

"On Tuesday, Microsoft promised to take the "steps needed to be a good neighbor in the communities where we build, own, and operate our data centers." That includes, according to the company, its plans to "pay its own way" to ensure that local electricity bills don't go through the roof in the places where it builds. Specifically, the company says it will work with local utility companies to ensure that the rates it pays cover its full share of its burden on the local grid."

"All of the tech industry's biggest companies have promised additional buildouts of AI infrastructure in the coming year. Microsoft's announcement, which comes only a day after Mark Zuckerberg said that Meta would launch its own AI infrastructure program, isn't unexpected. Last year, the company announced that it planned to spend billions to expand its AI capacity. What is a little unusual are the promises the company has now made about how it will handle that buildout."

Microsoft commits to a community-first approach for expanding AI data center infrastructure. Microsoft will work with utility companies and state commissions to ensure electricity rates paid by data centers cover their full share of grid impact so residential customers do not absorb added costs. Microsoft plans to "pay its own way," to create jobs in host communities, and to minimize water usage at its facilities. The commitments aim to address concerns about local electricity bills, water supplies, environmental impacts, and the local employment effects of data center buildouts.

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