The White House plans to meet with top data center and artificial intelligence companies like Microsoft and Meta Platforms to address rising electricity costs. President Trump’s initiative calls for tech firms to build their own power plants for data centers. Microsoft has already committed to investing in new electricity generation and efficiency measures.

Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President Brad Smith appreciates the administration’s efforts to protect consumers from higher electricity prices. It is unclear if Microsoft will attend the meeting or sign a new pledge. The White House did not comment, and Meta and Anthropic declined to provide statements.

President Trump prioritizes the global AI race and the electricity needed to power it, a focus of his second term. However, the growth of data centers is increasing energy demand and raising power bills nationwide. Communities are protesting large data center projects due to concerns about rising costs and pollution.

The expansion of artificial intelligence technologies through large data center projects has sparked protests over rising bills and pollution. President Trump’s focus on securing electricity for AI has become politically sensitive as energy demand grows. Local and state concerns about the environmental impact of data centers are on the rise.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: White House to host Big Tech in pledge to rein in power costs