Data Centers

Pushing to unleash NE PA natural gas for AI data centers; said federal government needs to get "out of the way" of progress; backs cutting permit timelines and AI development tax zones; faces data-center backlash in his swing district.

House Energy and Commerce chair; laid out ambitious AI policy agenda calling for federal permit reform, national priorities for connecting power facilities to grid, and a data privacy law; warns US must "double or triple electricity load growth by 2028" for AI data centers.

Raised community concerns about data centers raising electricity prices but also acknowledged the need for compute infrastructure to win the AI race against China

Does not oppose data centers but opposes "giving away Nebraska's most precious resource"; wants mandatory water-efficient cooling technology; warns of bubble risk and extractive economic model leaving Nebraska with depleted aquifer and stranded grid; supports federal legislation requiring data centers to find independent power sources and reach 100% clean energy by 2040

Authored a bill SB 135 that requires data centers to submit reports to Indiana that incldues how much water and electricity each one used; says that "with a nearly 30% increase in data centers since March, we need to have proper checks in place for both grid and water supply integrity moving forward"

Calls for smart investments in AI infrastructure while also protecting rural Texans from projects that drive up electricity rates and drain water supplies

Warned that regulatory burdens on energy permitting are a self-inflicted barrier in the AI race with China; signed a letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy urging the Administration to incorporate silicon carbide into the AI Action Plan; a part of the effort to reduce AI's growing energy footprint with advanced semiconductor tech

Warns against permanent infrastructure monopolies controlled by a handful of firms and calls for antitrust enforcement and expanded public access to compute infrastructure; opposes concentrated private control of AI infrastructure

Supports data centers in Nebraska only if companies bring strong deals like local jobs, actual tech development, American ownership, no tax incentives; opposes "empty buildings full of servers controlled from out of state"

Described data centers as an important component of a booming 'AI economy' to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette; also talked about data centers causing an increase in utilities and water.

Pro-data-center expansion: chaired hearings titled "AI and the Grid: Meeting Growing Power Demand While Protecting Ratepayers" and authored bills (Electric Supply Chain Act H.R.3638; REFINER Act H.R.3109) to expand power for AI. Acknowledges concerns about data center energy costs but argues "data center load growth lessens retail electricity costs"; opposed to moratoriums; favors grid build-out and ratepayer protection without restricting build.

Positioned as broadly pro-development but navigating constituent backlash; CNBC coverage flagged him as one of four PA Republicans facing electoral risk over AI data centers.

Supports data center development for jobs and energy needs but concerned about strain on Nebraska's aging power grid and rising energy costs for residents; wants to balance growth with responsibility

Says if data centers are going to expand in Illinois, they must pay their fair share for infrastructure and energy demand; opposed to policy that drives up cost; argues that infrastructure needs to grow in order to support innovation, strengthen national security, and compete with China