Trump asks data centres to generate their own electricity, offer community dividends
US President Donald Trump has said new and large data centres should generate their own electricity and supply or sell surplus power to local communities or the grid, arguing that the move could help prevent electricity price increases.
He also urged companies to offer financial benefits to communities hosting data centres, saying such arrangements could make projects more popular with residents.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had been closely monitoring data centres and concluded that new facilities, including very large ones, should be required to produce their own electricity. He argued that supplying surplus power to the local community or grid could potentially lead to lower electricity prices.
"As the President of the United States, I have been watching Data Centers very closely, and have come to a very strong conclusion. New and large, in some cases gigantic, Data enters are mandated by me to make their own electricity, and give or sell any excess back to the local community, or grid, and therefore there is electric price increase. In fact, there could be a substantial decrease. Other elements likewise! If companies want to make their Data Centers popular, pay the community, and/or individuals within the community, 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. MAKE DEALS, and get them built!!!"Trump also suggested that companies could pay a dividend to local communities or individuals living near data centre projects. He said financial arrangements had helped turn opposition to some facilities into public support.The remarks come amid growing scrutiny of data centres because of their electricity requirements and their potential impact on local power costs.
Trump warns data centres could move to China
Trump has previously defended the rapid expansion of data centres in the US, warning that blocking projects could give China an advantage in the global race for artificial intelligence.During a rally outside Dayton, Ohio, ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, Trump said data centres could bring economic benefits to local communities and urged voters not to oppose their development.Also read - ‘There’s so much money to be made’: Trump defends US data centres, warns they could go to China“There’s so much money to be made for Ohio. You can’t just turn them off. They’ll go to China,” Trump told supporters, according to the New York Post.Trump also linked the expansion of data centres to competition with China in artificial intelligence, claiming the US was ahead in what he called “superintelligence”.“We’re beating China,” he said, arguing that the US should continue developing its AI infrastructure rather than turn away data centre projects.At the same time, Trump backed legislation promoted by Republican Senator Jon Husted that aims to prevent data centres from raising electricity costs for other consumers and require facilities to cover expenses associated with their power use. Trump said he would sign the proposed Ratepayer Protection Act into law “immediately within 24 hours” if Republicans retained control.