Initiative Overview
In a strategic move to strengthen the United States’ position in artificial intelligence (AI), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced plans to co-locate data centers with energy generation facilities on federal lands. This initiative involves identifying 16 potential sites that are uniquely positioned for rapid data center construction, including those with existing energy infrastructure that can expedite the permitting process for new energy generation, such as nuclear.
The 16 sites identified by the DOE include a combination of national laboratories and facilities with established energy infrastructure. Notable locations comprise Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, Sandia National Laboratories, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. These sites were selected for their capacity to accelerate the construction of data centers and related energy generation facilities, utilizing existing infrastructure to fulfill the growing computational demands of AI technologies.
A key aspect of this initiative is the integration of data centers with energy generation facilities. The DOE emphasizes the potential for fast-tracking permitting for new energy generation, including nuclear reactors, to power these data centers. This approach aims to address the substantial energy requirements of modern AI systems, which have contributed to a significant increase in electricity consumption by data centers over the past decade.
DOE Public-Private Collaboration Initiatives
The DOE is actively seeking input from data center developers, energy developers, and the public to inform the development of these sites. The information collected will be used to encourage private-public partnerships and enable the construction of AI infrastructure at select DOE sites, with a target of commencing operation by the end of 2027.
This initiative builds upon prior efforts to promote AI infrastructure development. In January, former President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at accelerating the development of AI data centers in the U.S., directing federal agencies to make government sites available for such projects. Although President Donald Trump reversed several of Biden’s AI policies upon returning to office, he endorsed the move to open federal lands for data centers, indicating a bipartisan recognition of the strategic importance of AI infrastructure.
While the initiative emphasizes the use of nuclear energy to power data centers, it also acknowledges the availability of other energy sources, including solar and gas turbines, at various sites. The DOE’s approach reflects an effort to balance the rapid development of AI infrastructure with environmental considerations and the need for sustainable energy solutions.
The DOE’s plan to co-locate data centers with energy generation facilities on federal lands represents a significant step toward enhancing the United States’ AI capabilities. By leveraging existing infrastructure and fostering public-private partnerships, this initiative aims to meet the growing computational and energy demands of AI technologies, positioning the U.S. at the forefront of the global AI landscape.
