"They need some PR help because people think that if a data center goes in there, electricity prices are going to go up. It's not going to happen. The "ratepayer protection" pledge touted by the president comes as affordability has become a top concern for an American public wary of the possibility that the AI build out could lead to higher utility bills."
"Communities across the nation have seen a backlash against data centers over fears about rising electricity prices and concerns about pollution and water consumption. Opposition to rising power prices was also a key factor in Democratic wins last year in elections in states including Georgia, Virginia and New Jersey."
"The president stressed that he understands that demand for energy will triple by 2035 largely because of AI, meaning that the U.S. needs to dramatically increase its construction of power plants. Construction spending on power generation jumped in 2022, but it has drifted slightly downward after peaking in October 2023."
President Trump hosted technology companies at the White House to pledge independent power generation development, aiming to ease public concerns about electricity price increases from AI data center expansion. The "ratepayer protection" pledge addresses widespread anxiety that AI infrastructure could raise utility bills for consumers. Communities nationwide have opposed data centers due to concerns about rising electricity costs, pollution, and water consumption. Trump emphasizes that energy demand will triple by 2035 due to AI, requiring substantial power plant construction. Despite these commitments, electricity prices have already risen 6.3% over the past year. Trump prioritizes AI development for U.S. economic and military competitiveness while promoting coal energy and canceling wind projects.
Read at Fortune
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