White House to host tech firms over data centre power costs

The White House has announced that it will host leading data centre and artificial intelligence companies on 4 March to formalise a pledge intended to protect consumers from higher electricity bills associated with the rapid growth of AI infrastructure.

According to Reuters, companies expected to attend include Microsoft, Amazon, Anthropic and Meta Platforms. The initiative follows President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, in which he said major technology firms should build their own power plants to support expanding data centre operations rather than relying solely on existing grids.

The proposed ‘Rate Payer Protection Pledge’ is expected to reflect earlier commitments by some companies to invest in additional electricity generation and energy efficiency measures. Anthropic has publicly stated that it would cover electricity price increases attributable to its data centres. Amazon confirmed it plans to attend the meeting, while Microsoft said it appreciates efforts to prevent data centres from driving up consumer costs. Meta declined to comment.

The issue has gained political significance as electricity demand from AI data centres increases in several regions. In areas covered by PJM Interconnection, which hosts a large concentration of data centres, wholesale power costs have reportedly surged sharply in recent years. The Trump administration and several state governors previously released a framework to address rising power bills in that market.

Expanding AI infrastructure has also prompted local opposition in some states, with concerns focused on electricity prices and environmental impact. The forthcoming White House meeting is expected to build on earlier federal and state discussions aimed at balancing AI development with grid stability and consumer protection.