Trump says new large data centers must generate their own electricity

President Donald Trump said new and large data centers are mandated to make their own electricity and give or sell any excess to local communities or the grid, arguing the approach could lower power prices, and urged operators to pay residents a "dividend."

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that new and large data centers are "mandated by me to make their own electricity, and give or sell any excess back to the local community, or grid." He argued that the approach would keep electricity prices from rising, adding: "In fact, there could be a substantial decrease."

Trump also urged companies to win local support by paying communities or individuals a "dividend." "I have watched the process closely, and Data Centers that were highly unpopular in a certain area, have become extremely popular when a financial deal is struck," he wrote, adding: "MAKE DEALS, and get them built!!!"

Growing concern over power bills

Data centers in Ashburn, Virginia

The remarks come amid growing public pushback over the electricity demand of AI-driven data centers ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The United States has more than 5,000 data centers, and a Gallup poll found that 71% of Americans oppose such projects in their area over concerns that they will raise household utility bills, Anadolu Agency reported.

In March, major technology companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, OpenAI, xAI and Amazon signed a voluntary "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" at the White House, committing to cover the cost of the power generation and transmission their data centers need. Experts have noted that electricity supply is largely regulated at the state level, raising questions about how such commitments could be enforced federally.