Trump expands data center power cost pledge to states, utilities

President Trump expanded his AI data center "ratepayer protection pledge" to include state governors, utility companies, and data center developers, with the administration claiming it will lower electricity costs. The expansion comes as grid operator PJM Interconnection raised power costs 75.5% and billed Maryland $2 billion for infrastructure upgrades.

Why it matters: Electricity prices tied to AI data center buildout are becoming a political flashpoint, feeding protests that have already spread to 42 states. A voluntary pledge signals the administration wants to get ahead of ratepayer backlash without slowing construction, but it has no clear enforcement mechanism against costs grid operators like PJM have already locked in.