OpenAI Releases National Community Compact and Policy Blueprint, Reaffirms Full Data Center Power Cost Payment and Calls for Legislation
Following the midterms, OpenAI published two documents committing to fully cover power costs for its owned campuses and banning NDAs for officials, while urging Congress to codify these pledges.
U.S. artificial intelligence company OpenAI released the "National Community Compact" and the "Compute Campus Policy Blueprint" on November 5 Eastern Time. These documents aim to address voter opposition to data center construction observed during the recent U.S. midterm elections. OpenAI reaffirmed its commitment to fully pay for the electricity costs of its owned and operated data centers (termed "compute campuses") and pledged not to require government officials to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) during negotiations.
According to the compact, OpenAI commits to covering the incremental costs of infrastructure required to serve the campus and actual electricity expenses, providing financial guarantees before major expenditures begin to prevent other users from bearing costs if projects are delayed, scaled down, or cancelled. This reiterates the "self-funded energy costs" promise made in January's Stargate community initiative and aligns with Anthropic's earlier pledge to pay for grid upgrades. However, the agreement's scope is explicitly limited to OpenAI's "owned and operated" future campuses. For facilities leased or co-developed with partners like SB Energy, responsibilities remain governed by specific project terms. For instance, in the Ohio PORTS-Pike project, SB Energy holds and operates the facility while OpenAI acts as a customer, meaning its power cost obligations revert to that specific contract.
Beyond voluntary commitments, OpenAI actively calls for legislation to codify these measures in the blueprint. The document suggests that state utility commissions establish dedicated tariffs for large-load customers, requiring them to pay for the incremental costs they cause, and mandates the inclusion of the "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" in law. Additionally, OpenAI requests that Congress grant the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) clearer authority to expedite interconnection approvals for large projects and expand federal backup approval rights for key transmission plans. Chris Lehane, OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer, stated that these proposals were developed after meetings with dozens of members of Congress, aiming to build momentum before the new session begins in late January.