Powering the AI Economy with Clean, Reliable Energy
America’s future growth and leadership in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services depends on abundant and reliable energy. Data centers, the backbone of the AI economy, require vast amounts of electricity, and demand for energy is expected to rise significantly in the years ahead.
To meet this challenge, the private sector and policymakers must work together to expand access to power, expand and modernize transmission and distribution systems, and upgrade infrastructure for resilience and efficiency. Ensuring that the U.S. leads in both AI and energy innovation will strengthen our economy, national security, and climate resilience.
The Role of Energy in Technology Growth
Workforce Development for Energy
The rapid expansion of AI requires substantial computing power, which in turn drives energy demand. Experts project that the U.S. will need to train and employ hundreds of thousands of skilled workers to expand and maintain the nation’s energy grid to meet this need.
Investing in Power Infrastructure
New partnerships and financing strategies are accelerating investments in data centers and supporting energy infrastructure, with a focus on clean power sources that can scale with AI growth.
Sustainability and Efficiency
Industry commitments are driving improvements in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Efforts include transforming data centers for efficiency, developing advanced cooling and power systems, and integrating clean energy at scale. These innovations will reduce environmental impact while powering next-generation AI applications.
Restoring and Expanding Energy Supply
Projects that restore carbon-free generation and bring jobs back to local communities demonstrate how energy policy and innovation can support both sustainability and economic growth.
Policy Priorities for Advancing Clean Energy and AI
- Permitting Reform
Federal and state governments must accelerate permitting to enable economic opportunities. - Support Workforce Development
Meeting America’s energy needs requires training hundreds of thousands of electricians and skilled trade workers for grid expansion and modernization. - Expand Energy Generation Capacity
Policymakers should encourage investment in diverse, reliable energy sources to support the growing demands of digital infrastructure. - Foster Public-Private Partnerships
Collaborations between government, technology companies, and energy providers are essential for scaling clean power while ensuring reliability and affordability.