Expansion of the Amazon Web Services data center campus in Hamlet is moving forward with a new federal pledge aimed at protecting electricity customers. On March 5, AWS CEO Matt Garman joined several major tech leaders at the White House to sign the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, committing that the rapid growth of AI data centers will not drive up electricity costs for families and communities.
The pledge comes as Amazon continues construction on its massive 20-building data center complex at Energy Way Industrial Park south of Hamlet, located across from Duke Energy’s Smith Energy Complex in Richmond County.
What the Ratepayer Protection Pledge Means
Under the agreement, companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle, and xAI will cover the costs tied to increased electricity production needed for AI data centers.
According to the White House, the companies will:
- Pay negotiated utility rates tied to new energy infrastructure
- Support grid reliability with backup generation resources
- Invest in hiring and training workers from local communities
AWS CEO Matt Garman said the pledge helps ensure AI innovation grows responsibly while protecting households from rising electricity prices.
Regional Impact Near the Sandhills
The AWS campus in Richmond County is expected to bring significant economic activity to the region, with construction jobs and long-term technology positions supporting nearby communities including Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Pinehurst, and Carthage.
The commitment also comes as Duke Energy has proposed future rate increases in North Carolina, citing growing electricity demand from data centers and advanced manufacturing.
Additional details about the pledge are available through the White House fact sheet.
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