Microsoft Pledges Full Power Costs, No Tax Breaks in Response To AI Data Center Backlash

Microsoft announced Tuesday what it calls a "community first" initiative for its AI data centers, pledging to pay full electricity costs and reject local property tax breaks following months of growing opposition from residents facing higher power bills. The announcement in Washington, D.C. marks a clear departure from past practices; Microsoft has previously accepted tax abatements for data centers in Ohio and Iowa.
Brad Smith, Microsoft's president, said the company has been developing the ini