Microsoft Has a Plan to Keep Its Data Centers From Raising Your Electric Bill

Microsoft announced a series of initiatives aimed at addressing community concerns about the impact of its data centers on local electricity rates and resources. Speaking at an event in Virginia, Microsoft vice chair Brad Smith acknowledged public worries about rising electricity costs, water supply, and job implications linked to data center expansions. The company committed to working with public utilities to request higher electricity rates for data centers, aiming to prevent these facilities from increasing residents’ utility bills. This move comes amid growing scrutiny and opposition to data centers across the U.S., where their energy demands contribute to rising electricity prices and have led to stalled or canceled projects. The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s recent pledge to collaborate with major tech companies, including Microsoft, to ensure data centers do not inflate customer utility bills. While the Trump administration has prioritized expediting data center development—removing environmental protections and encouraging construction on federal lands—local opposition has intensified, cutting across political lines. Rising electricity bills, driven by aging grid infrastructure and increased demand from data centers, have