Lawmakers from both parties back data center permitting reform

"These hyperscalers that want to put their own energy behind the meter ... I have a strong hunch they would be thrilled to do construction labor agreements with unions if they could get the permits now, and if they could get the interconnection queue cleared now to actually build the darn thing."

"We need to add about 85 gigawatts a year in order to keep pace with our demand. I think that goes back to permitting reform."

"We cannot sit back and allow a handful of billionaire Big Tech oligarchs to make decisions that will reshape our"

Lawmakers from both parties are backing permitting reform to accelerate data center construction needed for artificial intelligence infrastructure. Sen. Ted Budd and Rep. Jake Auchincloss emphasized that streamlined permitting and cleared interconnection queues are essential for hyperscalers to build facilities and potentially negotiate union labor agreements. The U.S. needs approximately 85 gigawatts of additional annual energy capacity to meet AI demand. However, the lawmakers diverged on energy sources, with Budd supporting coal mining and Auchincloss advocating for renewable options including nuclear, geothermal, and offshore wind. The Trump administration has prioritized permitting reform through executive order. Some lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, oppose rapid data center expansion due to concerns about land use, water consumption, and electricity costs.

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