Trump Promotes Ratepayer Protection Pledge
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, President Donald Trump discussed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge during a roundtable aimed at fostering economic growth, cutting costs, and enhancing the U.S.’s position in the global artificial intelligence arena. He was joined by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, several governors, and executives from high-tech energy sectors.
The President described the pledge as a fair arrangement that intends to stimulate economic expansion, lower living expenses, and safeguard American consumers while leading advancements in AI and technology. “With the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, we are creating a deal that is fair for everyone,” he noted.
So far, over 220 stakeholders, including utilities, tech firms, and state governments, have committed to this initiative, which seeks to prevent the transfer of data center energy costs to consumers. This pledge was unveiled by Trump back in March.
He highlighted several communities, such as those in Georgia and Richland Parish, Louisiana, that have seen economic benefits from data centers. For example, he mentioned that Southern Company Georgia Power will keep base rates unchanged for residents until 2029.
Additionally, President Trump pointed to American Electric Power, which anticipates that its customers will save up to $16 billion through contracts regarding data centers.
He also referenced the Diocese of Richland, where Meta’s significant investments have led to hundreds of millions in energy savings and positive impacts for local teachers. “Public school teachers in Richland Parish are receiving bonuses up to $50,000 this year due to Meta’s $27 billion project, which will also cut local residents’ electric bills by $2.6 billion,” he explained.
Supporting the president’s comments, Secretary Wright stated that the Ratepayer Protection Pledge puts the U.S. in a prime position to lead in AI development, support rapid investments, and curb increases in costs where investment is made.
Harry Sideris, CEO of Duke Energy, attended the meeting and commended Trump for unifying the industry and protecting energy consumers. He stated, “Thank you, President Trump and Secretary Wright, for your commitment to ensuring America’s leadership in AI while safeguarding energy customers.”
On the same day, Duke Energy introduced its Customer Protection Plus framework, which Sideris indicated would shape the company’s strategy regarding data center growth while benefiting customers. He emphasized that they expect the data center initiative to generate more revenue than the costs incurred, leading to billions in savings.
He also announced that Duke Energy would not raise base rates in Florida by 2027 and noted anticipated savings exceeding $5 billion for customers in the Carolinas. Furthermore, he mentioned that they’ve found a way to lower monthly bills by $50 for residential clients.
Sideris underscored the importance of the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, stating it serves similar principles across the nation. “By protecting our customers while enabling investment and innovation, we can facilitate AI-driven growth and open new avenues for economic opportunity,” he concluded.
