Microsoft announced that it will ask utilities and public commissions to set electricity rates high enough to cover the full power costs of its AI data centers. The company also pledged a 40 percent improvement in water‑use intensity by 2030, highlighted a new closed‑loop cooling design that eliminates the need for potable water, and affirmed it will pay its full share of local property taxes. These commitments are aimed at addressing rising residential electricity rates and the environmental impact of AI workloads. Read more →