Trump team drafting AI executive orders to compete with China - Reuters

The Trump administration is preparing a series of measures aimed at boosting energy supply to support the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States.

According to Reuters, the steps under consideration include streamlining the connection of power generation projects to the grid and allocating federal land for the construction of data centers essential for scaling AI technology.

Sources told the outlet that among the ideas being considered is prioritizing the most shovel-ready energy projects by moving them up the interconnection queue.

The administration is also exploring ways to simplify the permitting process for data centers. One proposal involves creating a nationwide permit under the Clean Water Act, which would replace the current system that requires companies to seek separate approvals in each state.

However, Reuters notes that building and connecting new power plants remains a major challenge, as such projects require extensive environmental impact studies and can take years to complete. The existing electricity transmission infrastructure is also already overstretched.

Locating data centers also presents difficulties; they require large spaces and significant resources, and developers may face zoning hurdles or local opposition.

To address these issues, sources said Trump’s executive orders could grant developers access to land controlled by the Pentagon or the US Department of the Interior.

The agency also cited a forecast by consultancy Grid Strategies, which predicts that electricity demand in the US between 2024 and 2029 will grow five times faster than projected in 2022.

Meanwhile, a new Deloitte report estimates that by 2035, electricity demand from AI data centers could increase more than thirtyfold.

Sources also told Reuters that the administration plans to publish a comprehensive AI action plan and hold public events to raise awareness of its initiatives.

Trump's push to outpace China

Reuters emphasizes that Trump has made winning the AI race against China a top priority. On his first day back in office, he declared a national emergency in the energy sector.

The emergency aims to remove regulatory obstacles to oil and gas drilling, coal and critical mineral extraction, and the construction of new gas and nuclear power plants to bring additional energy capacity online.

In January, Trump also ordered his administration to develop an AI strategy designed to make "America the global capital of artificial intelligence" and remove regulatory barriers hindering rapid development.

The report, which will include input from the National Security Council, is scheduled to be completed by July 23. According to two sources, the White House is considering declaring July 23 AI Action Day to draw public attention to the plan and highlight the administration’s commitment to the sector.

As previously reported, after taking office, Trump announced that three leading companies would make major investments in AI infrastructure, including a $500 billion project called StarGate.