SBE Council Statement on the White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge and AI Infrastructure Investment

By SBE Council at 5 March, 2026, 3:36 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. - The following statement in response to yesterday's "White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge" commitments by leading technology companies can be attributed to Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) President & CEO Karen Kerrigan:

"Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most important tools available to small businesses and entrepreneurs. From improving productivity and customer service to expanding market access and enabling small firms to compete globally, AI is helping to level the playing field for America's innovators and job creators."

"As AI adoption accelerates, it is essential that the infrastructure supporting this technology - including data centers and advanced computing capacity - be developed promptly and efficiently. We know, for example, that the 77% of small businesses using AI, plan to significantly up their use due to its effectiveness: 96% of small business owners who have deployed AI in their businesses plan to continue investments - 70% plan to increase their spend, according to our annual technology survey."

"The commitments made through the White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge help ensure that investments in the energy and computing infrastructure needed to power AI are made in ways that protect ratepayers while allowing innovation to move forward. For small businesses, affordable and reliable energy is a critical input cost. Ensuring that large-scale technology infrastructure investments do not shift costs onto households and small businesses is an important principle."

"Data centers are creating entrepreneurial and job opportunities in areas of the country where they are located, and some companies are already making significant investments in local communities and helping to make the grid stronger. Hopefully, the pledge and its momentum will be met favorably at the state and local level in terms of lowering and streamlining regulatory barriers to ensure the intent of the pledge is fully realized."

"America's leadership in AI will depend on an ecosystem that encourages private-sector investment, technological advancement, and open access to the tools that entrepreneurs rely on to innovate and grow."

"We commend the companies participating in this pledge and the leadership of President Trump for recognizing the importance of responsible infrastructure development and for working collaboratively to ensure that America's AI future strengthens the broader economy - including the nation's millions of entrepreneurs and small businesses."

CONTACT: Karen Kerrigan, [email protected]

SBE Council is a nonpartisan advocacy, research and education organization dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship. For more than 30 years, SBE Council has advanced a range of private sector and public policy initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem for strong startup activity and small business growth.

Visit www.sbecouncil.org for additional information. X: @SBECouncil

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