# Microsoft pledges to cover its data-center power costs, not taxpayers or utility customers

> Original title: Bloomberg: Microsoft is pairing its $117B annual capacity build with a promise that neither taxpayers nor other utility customers will co...

- Source: Rohan Paul
- Published: 2026-11-11T21:37:40.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/h5wv4te9zaha989phaz0gbo36
- Original: https://x.com/rohanpaul_ai/status/2120632075007266907

## Summary

Microsoft says neither taxpayers nor other utility customers will pay the power bill for its $117B annual data-center capacity build. Its plan relies on behind-the-meter generation, including Chevron's 2.67GW gas plant that would sell electricity directly to a Microsoft data center for 20 years. The arrangement still needs political approval after Texas Governor Greg Abbott's moratorium froze new data-center permits, and his Democratic successor has signaled a possibly tougher stance.

## Post

Bloomberg: Microsoft is pairing its $117B annual capacity build with a promise that neither taxpayers nor other utility customers will cover the power bill.

Its answer to the grid problem is behind-the-meter generation, with Chevron’s 2.67GW gas plant selling electricity straight to a Microsoft data center for 20 years.

That model still needs political approval, because Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s moratorium froze new data-center permits and his Democratic successor has signalled a possibly tougher stance.

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