Indiana Governor and Trump Say Data Centers Must Cover Their Own Energy Costs

Officials argue that large technology companies should not pass electricity expenses from data centers onto American households.

By: Haitian Prime News|January 13, 2026|Indiana, United States

Indiana Governor Mike Braun and former President Donald J. Trump have publicly emphasized that large technology companies operating data centers should be responsible for the full cost of their electricity usage, warning that residential customers should not bear the financial burden of increased energy demand.

In a statement released Tuesday, Governor Braun said data centers are important for attracting high-paying jobs to Indiana but stressed that their electricity costs must not be shifted to Hoosiers. He stated that companies benefiting from heavy power consumption should “pay their own way,” adding that state action has been taken to ensure ratepayers are protected.

As an example, Braun noted that Amazon will cover 120 percent of the energy costs required to power its new $15 billion data center project in Indiana. According to the governor, the arrangement is designed to prevent higher utility bills for residents while allowing the project to move forward.

Former President Donald Trump echoed similar concerns in a separate statement, arguing that average household utility bills have risen significantly in recent years and should not increase further due to the expansion of data centers. Trump criticized current federal leadership for rising energy costs and said Americans should not subsidize power consumption for large-scale technology infrastructure.

Trump stated that his administration is working with major U.S. technology companies to secure commitments ensuring households do not “pick up the tab” for data center electricity usage. He highlighted Microsoft as the first company involved, saying changes related to power cost responsibility are expected to begin this week, with additional announcements anticipated in the coming weeks.

Both Braun and Trump described data centers as essential to U.S. economic growth and leadership in artificial intelligence, while maintaining that technology companies must absorb the financial impact of their power needs rather than passing costs onto consumers.

Sources

– Public statement by Indiana Governor Mike Braun (January 13, 2026)

– Public statement by Donald J. Trump, @realDonaldTrump (January 2026)