Trump's AI Power Pledge Adds 200 Signatories but Lacks Enforcement

On July 23, 2026, the Trump administration added 200 utilities, data centre developers, and states to its Ratepayer Protection Pledge. Signatories agree to cover their AI facilities' full power-infrastructure costs — but the pledge carries no enforceable consumer protections. ICF projects AI data centre demand could raise monthly bills 15–40% by 2030, and a May Gallup poll found 70% of Americans oppose local data centre construction.