Tech Giants Meet the President Over Power Bills

The White House is set to host a gathering of top tech leaders next week, where the aim is to get big companies like Amazon, Google’s parent Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and others to agree to pay for the electricity that powers their massive data centers. The event is scheduled for March 4 and will bring together executives from firms that rely heavily on cloud computing and online services. The president plans to ask these companies to sign pledges that would shift the cost of electricity from public budgets to private pockets. This move comes amid growing concerns about how much energy the internet consumes and what that means for national infrastructure. Representatives from a range of firms have already been invited. In addition to Amazon, Meta and Microsoft, the list includes Google’s parent Alphabet, Elon Musk’s xAI, Oracle, and OpenAI. The gathering will also feature leaders from other tech giants who are not yet confirmed but are likely to attend.The goal is to create a formal agreement that holds these companies accountable for the power they use, potentially reducing the strain on government resources. Critics argue that it could set a precedent for privatizing essential services, while supporters say it encourages corporate responsibility. If the pledges are signed, the companies would essentially pay for their own data center electricity instead of relying on public funds. This could lead to changes in how data centers are financed and operated, possibly pushing for more energy-efficient practices. The meeting reflects a broader debate about the role of big tech in society and how their operations impact public resources. Whether the agreements will be binding or symbolic remains to be seen, but the discussion signals a shift toward greater transparency and accountability.