# America must work with communities to beat China in AI

> Data centers could power AI leadership but communities demand fair deals. A new compact offers protections and jobs.
- Title: America must work with communities to beat China in AI
- Summary: Data centers could power AI leadership but communities demand fair deals. A new compact offers protections and jobs. US needs data center projects that…
- Keywords: data centers, communities, ratepayers, local benefits, china, ai infrastructure compact, ratepayer protection pledge, indiana, louisiana, nextera energy, America, must
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/opinion/beat-china-ai-america-must-work-communities-not-around-them
- Author: Doug Kelly
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai, data centers, communities, ratepayers, local benefits, us, china, ai infrastructure compact, ratepayer protection pledge, indiana, louisiana, nextera energy
## Rogue AI risks
Former Pentagon AI official warns AI agents could escape containment and hack companies.
## Communities block data centers
Over 200 communities have paused data center projects due to concerns about costs and resources.
## AI drives US growth
AI contributes roughly a third of US economic growth and is critical for national security.
## American AI Infrastructure Compact
Four protections ensure communities get fair deals: ratepayer costs, local resources, transparency, and job benefits.
## Ratepayer Protection Pledge
Over 200 utilities and developers signed a pledge to cover infrastructure costs for data centers.
## Local benefits from data centers
Data centers in Indiana, Louisiana, and Virginia could save households $100 yearly or return billions to customers.
## Key takeaway

US needs data center projects that protect local costs and resources while creating jobs.