Google’s Capacity Commitment Framework (CCF) is the most structurally detailed, legally operationalized ratepayer protection mechanism deployed by any hyperscale data center operator. First adopted in early 2025 and already embedded in regulatory-approved tariffs across multiple states, the CCF goes beyond policy commitment: it requires binding long-term contracts, guaranteed minimum payments, and upfront collateral deposited before infrastructure is built. POWER Magazine described it as ‘the most structurally detailed ratepayer commitment of any AI developer.’

“The CCF requires large energy customers to sign binding long-term contracts with guaranteed minimum payments and upfront collateral to ensure the full cost of generation capacity and grid infrastructure built to serve them is borne by the customer — not existing ratepayers — whether or not that capacity is ultimately used.” — Google — Official CCF description, March 2026