Energy Officials Pressured to Expand Grid as AI Demand Surges
The department is exploring using federal land and agency sites to speed data center buildout.
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2026 – Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday that surging demand from AI and data centers is reshaping U.S. energy policy, as lawmakers questioned how the Department of Energy can expand power supply without increasing electricity costs.
Testifying before the House Energy and Commerce committee, Wright said that AI, data centers, and reshoring manufacturing are creating “huge demand for electricity,” requiring rapid expansion of generation and grid capacity.
The department is working with industry to ensure data centers can connect to the grid “in a way that drives down prices and does not burden ratepayers,” he said.
