By Matty Merritt
Publication Date: 2026-01-14 06:14:00
Microsoft’s big announcement yesterday had nothing to do with new products, software, or a ballooning market cap. Instead, it promised to pick up the bill.
The tech company said yesterday that it would pay more when it builds a new data center in a city to ensure that elevated electricity costs aren’t passed on to consumers. Rising energy prices and environmental concerns have united some communities on opposite ends of the political spectrum with a simple message to companies building massive AI data centers: Get out.
Microsoft introduced a five-point plan for addressing concerns when a data center project is introduced to a community, including paying for higher energy costs and replenishing water usage. The company also promised to add to the local property tax base and not accept any tax reductions.
The announcement was previewed by President Trump’s Truth Social post on Monday saying tech companies must “pay their own way.” Wiping out regulations and urging AI expansion…
