US Energy Dept Identifies Federal Sites for AI Data Centers

The U.S. Department of Energy has identified 16 federal sites—including major national laboratories like Los Alamos, Sandia, Oak Ridge, and others—as ideal locations for constructing data centers to accelerate artificial intelligence development. The selection leverages existing energy infrastructures and streamlined permitting processes, with options spanning nuclear, solar, and gas turbine energy sources. This effort, initially directed by a January executive order under President Joe Biden and maintained under President Donald Trump, comes in response to rising AI computational demands and a projected increase in data center electricity use that could reach 12% of the nation’s total by 2028.

Additional details have been highlighted in recent reports, with articles from early April 2025 noting that the initiative not only prioritizes rapid AI advancements but also aligns with clean energy objectives. By potentially tapping into sites with historical significance in nuclear research and energy production, the Department of Energy aims to foster public-private partnerships and ensure the sustainable development of critical infrastructure for the burgeoning AI industry.