OpenAI announced a new set of community promises on Thursday as voters turn against data centers. The ChatGPT maker released a plan called the National Community Compact, along with a policy paper named the Compute Campus Policy Blueprint.
The news comes two days after Tuesday’s midterm elections, when voters backed limits on data centers in 40 of 41 local ballot measures across 10 states, according to CNBC. Democrats also flipped governorships in Texas, Georgia, and Ohio, and the winners promised to pause new data center permits. OpenAI says it prepared the plans before the vote.
OpenAI says it will pay the full cost of electricity and grid upgrades at every data center it owns and operates. It will also stop signing nondisclosure agreements with public officials during site talks.
The company plans to publish construction plans, share noise, water, and energy details, and ask nearby residents for input. It also promises to cut peak power use, return power to the grid, and set local hiring goals where possible. Financial protections would shield other utility customers if a project is delayed, shrunk, or canceled.
OpenAI President Greg Brockman said Wednesday, “We need to do a better job of really communicating to people.” In Pike County, Ohio, OpenAI and SB Energy also pledged USD 6 million after families named childcare as a priority, according to reports.
The pledges are not legally binding, and they do not list dollar amounts for power costs. Some analysts ask whether the wording about sites OpenAI owns and operates leaves out leased sites and joint ventures.
OpenAI is urging lawmakers to make these rules mandatory for all companies that build AI infrastructure. Microsoft also made similar pledges on electricity prices earlier this year. The real test will come when OpenAI tries to pick its next major site in a community that has already pushed back.