Data Center

Energy Leaders Say Permitting Reform Key to Powering AI, Data Centers, and Broadband

Panelists raised concerns about lagging U.S. energy infrastructure amid growing AI demand.

Sergio Romero

Jan 15, 2026 — 2 min read

Photo of U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, by the U.S. Energy Association

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2026 – Industry leaders warned at the State of the Energy Industry Forum that delays in energy permitting threaten the United States’ ability to expand data centers, deploy artificial intelligence at scale, and support the broadband infrastructure underpinning the digital economy.

Speakers across multiple panels said surging demand from AI data centers is placing unprecedented pressure on the nation’s power systems, making faster and more predictable permitting essential to sustaining growth.

“Data centers are not the problem, they’re the answer,” said Chris Wright, Energy Secretary, arguing that energy policy must keep pace with rising digital demand rather than restrict it.

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Data Center AI Energy energy policy permitting reform Chris Wright Energy Department Drew Maloney Jason Grumet American Clean Power Association EEI Mike Sommers American Petroleum Institute Maria Korsnick Karen Harbert

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