Trump announces mandate forcing AI data centers to pay energy dividends to the local community — says excess energy should be given or sold back to prevent increases or even bring down costs

Trump mandates AI data centers provide own electricity and pay dividends to local communities

President Donald Trump announced a requirement that companies building large AI data centers in the U.S. must provide their own electricity and pay 'dividends' to host communities, either by giving excess energy back or making payments to offset or reduce local energy costs. The move comes amid growing political backlash over data centers' impact on electricity bills and water supplies ahead of midterm elections.