Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) on Tuesday introduced a new community-oriented initiative aimed at reducing water consumption at its U.S. data centers and ensuring that the company’s expanding facilities do not push up electricity costs for consumers.
As part of the plan, Microsoft said it will pay electricity rates that fully reflect the cost of its power usage and will work closely with local utilities to expand generation capacity and invest in grid infrastructure when additional supply is needed for its data centers.
The company also committed to replenishing more water than its data centers consume. Microsoft said it will begin publishing region-by-region water usage data across the United States, alongside updates on its progress toward water replenishment goals.
The announcement follows comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the technology giant would make “major changes” to its artificial intelligence infrastructure plans to ensure consumers are not faced with higher electricity prices due to data center power demand.