Microsoft’s Proactive Data Center Promises

Maybe Brad Smith should run for office. The Microsoft vice chair and president put his name to a lengthy, detailed document released on Tuesday that demonstrates the tech giant is trying to get ahead of growing grass-roots complaints about the impact of data centers on local communities. Among other things, Microsoft promised to pay enough for electricity it uses in its data centers—including the cost of adding new infrastructure—so that its energy consumption doesn’t cause higher rates for consumers. That’s quite a promise to make.

It’s little wonder President Donald Trump, who faces growing skepticism among voters about his closeness to big tech on AI issues, scooped Microsoft on its announcement in a Truth Social post on Monday evening. “I never want Americans to pay higher electricity bills because of data centers,” Trump said, obviously aware that the rising cost of power is sure to be a potent issue in the midterms. (This story in today’s Wall Street Journal spotlights it.) It’s smart of Microsoft to be proactive. After all, if it doesn’t take action to tamp down complaints, energy regulators and local politicians are likely to take action of their own. Tech companies might find it’s harder to build in particular areas. Microsoft is also surely winning brownie points with Trump, which won’t hurt.