RATEPAYER PROTECTION PLEDGE PROCLAMATION

On March 4, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation establishing the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, a national policy designed to ensure that the expansion of U.S. data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) does not increase electricity costs for American households.Key highlights of the proclamation include:Economic and National Security: The President emphasized that building large-scale data center infrastructure within the U.S. is essential for maintaining leadership in AI and cloud computing, ensuring independence from foreign industries, and creating jobs for American workers.The Ratepayer Protection Pledge: To prevent the "data center boom" from driving up utility bills for regular citizens, seven leading technology companies ("hyperscalers") have agreed to a set of specific commitments:Self-Funding Energy Needs: Companies will "build, bring, or buy" the new energy generation resources required for their data centers rather than relying on existing public capacity.Infrastructure Responsibility: Tech firms will pay for all power delivery infrastructure upgrades needed to service their facilities.Separate Rate Structures: These companies will voluntarily negotiate separate, independent rate structures with utilities and state governments, paying for their infrastructure regardless of their actual electricity usage.Grid Resilience: Signatories will coordinate with grid operators to contribute to local communities and improve overall grid reliability and resilience.Policy Goal: The administration aims to leverage the technological boom to benefit all American households and businesses by protecting them from higher energy prices while fostering global leadership in innovation.The proclamation concludes by formally recognizing the pledge as the official policy of the United States and noting that seven major tech companies have already accepted these terms as of the date of signing.