Releases
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Trump Unites Industry and State Leaders to Protect American Ratepayers
The White House
July 24, 2026
At the EPA Headquarters on Thursday, President Trump convened utilities, data center developers, and state leaders to announce a major expansion of his administration’s historic Ratepayer Protection Pledge — a first-of-its-kind commitment that ensures American AI dominance does not come at the expense of households and businesses.
Here’s what they’re saying:
Edison Electric Institute CEO Drew Maloney : “America’s electric companies work every day with Administration, federal, and state officials to protect customers and power innovation. Responsibly connecting data centers and large loads to the energy grid creates win-wins in our communities – giving businesses the reliability they need while ensuring the American people benefit from their investments.”
Duke Energy CEO Harry Sideris : “Thank you, @POTUS and @SecretaryWright, for bringing industries together to secure America’s global dominance in AI while protecting energy customers.”
Southern Company C EO Chris Womack : “This is a tremendous moment for the Southeast and for our country. AI and advanced technologies are creating historic opportunities for investment and economic growth, and Southern Company is committed to putting customers first. The President’s Pledge reflects an important principle: growth should strengthen our energy future while protecting rate stability and reliability for the families, businesses and communities we serve. We appreciate President Trump’s leadership in advancing policies that support American energy infrastructure, and we are confident the approach we are taking will deliver lasting benefits.”
PPL Corporation CEO Vincent Sorgi : “The customer-protection principles reflected in the Ratepayer Protection Pledge are consistent with our approach to responsible growth. In fact, PPL and its utilities were early movers in establishing new rate classes and regulator-approved, enforceable tariffs designed to protect existing customers and help ensure that large energy users, including data centers, pay their fair share of the costs of infrastructure needed to serve them. Ultimately, we believe economic growth and customer protection can go hand in hand, and this pledge reflects that important balance.”
American Public Power Association CEO Scott Corwin : “We are pleased to be a signatory to the Ratepayer Protection Pledge on behalf of public power, which aligns with our position that other utility customers should not bear the brunt of the costs of serving data centers. It reinforces our long-standing focus on energy affordability and reliability for public power utility customers.”
National Grid President Ben Wilson : “The choice is not between growth and customer protection. We need both. As electricity demand grows, our responsibility is to ensure customers and communities benefit from growth while maintaining affordability and reliability. With the right planning, infrastructure investments and regulatory frameworks, new demand including large loads can strengthen the grid, support economic growth and create positive outcomes for existing customers.”
American Electric Power : “Responsible growth starts with protecting current customers. That’s why AEP’s operating companies have signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, reinforcing our commitment to manage growth in electricity demand while helping keep energy affordable and reliable for our customers.”
Tennessee Valley Authority : “We have signed the Trump Administration’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, strengthening our commitment to keep energy affordable and reliable for the 10 million people we serve across seven states.”
Indiana Michigan Power Co .: “Reaffirming our commitment to our customers and affordability, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) today signed the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge. This pledge reaffirms a core principle that has guided I&M’s approach to serving new and expanding customers: growth should benefit everyone. The White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge promotes responsible growth by helping ensure customers benefit from new investment and are not unfairly burdened by the costs of serving large energy users. By signing the pledge, I&M is reaffirming the approach it is already taking as energy demand grows across the region.”
Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company : “Today, OGE Energy Corp. joined electric companies across the United States in signing the White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge, reaffirming our commitment to protect our customers from increased costs related to serving high-energy-demand consumers, including data centers, as outlined in OG&E’s proposed large-load tariff.”
America First Policy Institute : “Hardworking Americans should not have to foot the bill for AI data centers. With the expansion of @POTUS’ Ratepayer Protection Pledge, everyone involved in building and powering data centers will be required to cover their OWN costs instead of passing them on to families.”
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen : “Truly honored to join President Trump and so many other leaders for the Ratepayer Protection Pledge. America will win the AI war with China without hardworking families having to bear the electricity costs. We can—and MUST—do both.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp : “We can’t afford to hand China a victory in the race for technological innovation! That’s why I signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, because we can grow opportunity AND protect the wallets of hardworking Americans. We’re proving that in Georgia.”
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry : “Who wins [the AI race] will absolutely control the levers of global power… But winning, as @POTUS said, cannot come at the cost of American families, and his Ratepayer Protection Pledge demands that tech companies cover cost of power generation and infrastructure, rather than shifting them to you.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox : “Utah welcomes innovation, but not at the expense of hardworking families. ⚡🔋Thank you @POTUS for ensuring data centers are held accountable and ratepayers are protected.”
Idaho Gov. Brad Little : “Honored to join President @realDonaldTrump today to celebrate the Ratepayer Protection Pledge — ensuring energy stays reliable and rates are low for Idahoans!”
Republican Governors Association : “Republican governors across the country understand the AI boom should cut your power bill, not spike it. That’s why they’re backing President Trump’s Ratepayer Protection pledge, making sure American families come first.”
Sen. Rick Scott : “Great news! In April, @RogerMarshallMD and I backed President Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge. Working families across the nation shouldn’t be forced to pay for data centers. Big tech companies need to foot their OWN BILL!”
Sen. Katie Britt : “Data centers should pay for their own electricity, not hardworking Americans. I support @POTUS taking steps to protect ratepayers while maintaining our competitive edge over China and ensuring America remains a global leader in technological advancement. This is the way.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville : “@POTUS is taking steps to protect American taxpayers from higher energy prices, while benefiting from the revenue that data centers generate. We will make sure that any money coming in from data centers goes STRAIGHT to improving our schools, helping law enforcement, generating money for infrastructure, and raising our quality of life—and ensure that Alabamians are NOT footing the bill.”
House Energy and Commerce Committee : “The Ratepayer Protection Pledge is a victory for Americans, who shouldn’t be forced to pay more for electricity because new data centers are coming online.”
U.S. Export-Import Bank : “The Ratepayer Protection Pledge helps ensure America can lead the global AI race while protecting American communities. Under @POTUS, we’re strengthening the infrastructure that will power the next generation of American innovation and help deliver the American Dream for generations to come.”
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Zeldin : “Just now @EPA, @POTUS expanded his Ratepayer Protection Pledge. America must win the AI race & hardworking American families should not have to pay for it. Big Tech builds the power. Big Tech must pay for the power, so your bill doesn’t increase.”
Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler : “President Trump has committed to making America the global leader in AI – which is good for the millions of small business owners who rely on it to start, grow, and stay competitive. The Rate Payer Protection Pledge means they will get all the benefit, without any new utility costs.”
