Dozens of utilities join pledge pledge to protect consumers from high bills from AI data centers

A voluntary pledge announced by President Donald Trump aims to prevent higher utility bills tied to the expansion of AI data centers, with governors and energy companies joining the effort at the Environmental Protection Agency. Trump first unveiled the pledge in March with major AI and tech firms, but voters concerned about affordability have remained skeptical. The White House said Thursday the pledge has been signed by 23 governors and at least 187 companies, including 55 utilities and 27 data center developers such as Equinix, Digital Realty and Prologis. Signers include NextEra Energy, Duke Energy, American Electric Power, Southern Co. and Pacific Gas & Electric. Trump said nonbinding commitments would create power surpluses and lower family bills, while critics point to uncertain impacts as electricity demand grows.