Utility companies are promising to spare us from AI’s energy bill
Nearly 200 US utility companies and data center developers, including NextEra Energy and Duke Energy, signed President Donald Trump's 'rate payer protection pledge' to shield consumers from rising electricity costs linked to the AI boom. This pledge, introduced in March, aims to have AI providers cover infrastructure costs but has faced skepticism, as it lacks enforcement mechanisms and has not alleviated public concerns. The largest US electrical grid operator, PJM, anticipates an additional $6.3 billion in costs for consumers due to increased data center demand.