OpenAI announced a series of commitments Thursday to pay the full cost of powering the data centers it owns and operates. The company stated it will solicit community input, publish construction plans, and avoid using non-disclosure agreements with public officials regarding these facilities. This announcement follows recent local ballot measures across 10 states where voters backed restrictions or rejected pro-development measures for all but one of 41 measures, according to an analysis by Ballotpedia and results gathered by CNBC.
Public opposition to AI data centers has increased as concerns grow regarding environmental harms, rising utility bills, and potential job losses. OpenAI is currently seeking to expand its infrastructure rapidly to meet demand, having previously told investors in February that it is targeting $600 billion in total compute spend by 2030. The company has already announced massive data center projects in Georgia and Ohio.
In a policy blueprint released alongside the commitments, OpenAI encouraged policymakers to enact similar standards as laws. Chris Lehane, OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer, said the blueprint is intended to establish a high standard for how the industry moves forward. "What we're doing with this blueprint is really laying out the best lessons that we have learned and committing to applying them as they go forward," Lehane told reporters during a Wednesday briefing.
Lehane noted that the policy blueprint has been in development since August and that he has met with dozens of lawmakers and candidates since that time. He stated that the company's latest commitments build on previous initiatives to protect ratepayers and invest in local communities. The company aims to complete much of this work before the new Congress is in session in late January.
