US lawmaker urges support for AI energy needs

Congressman Jay Obernolte advocates co-located data centres to strengthen US AI dominance and grid resilience.

Jay Obernolte, Lawmaker, AI, Energy, FERC

Congressman Jay Obernolte has called on federal energy regulators to prioritise co-located data centres directly connected to power plants. The move, he argues, is essential for advancing US AI capabilities while addressing energy demands and grid resilience.

The proposal comes amid debates over co-location’s potential impact on grid reliability. A recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision rejected an Amazon-Talen Energy project in Pennsylvania, citing grid concerns. Obernolte urged FERC to expedite decisions on such projects to support US AI innovation.

Energy firms Talen and Constellation have challenged FERC’s recent rulings, highlighting the growing importance of energy policies in AI expansion.