DOE IDENTIFIES 16 FEDERAL SITES ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR DATA CENTER & AI INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
GOLDEN, COLORADO—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced plans to help ensure America leads the world in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and lower energy costs by co-locating data centers and new energy infrastructure on DOE lands. DOE has released a Request for Information (RFI) to inform possible use of DOE land for artificial intelligence (AI)
infrastructure development to support growing demand for data centers. DOE has identified 16 potential sites uniquely positioned for rapid data center construction, including in-place energy infrastructure with the ability to fast-track permitting for new energy generation
such as nuclear. In accordance with President Trump‘s Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence and Unleashing American Energy Executive Orders, DOE is exploring opportunities to accelerate AI and energy infrastructure development across the country, prioritizing public-private partnerships to advance the use of innovative technologies and strategies. “The global race for AI dominance is the next Manhattan project, and with
President Trump’s leadership and the innovation of our National Labs, the United States can and will win,” Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. “With today’s action, the Department of Energy is taking important steps to leverage our domestic resources to power the AI revolution, while continuing to deliver affordable, reliable and secure energy to the American people.” “President Trump is committed
to ensuring American leadership in artificial intelligence and Secretary Wright is delivering,” said White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios. “The Trump Administration will unleash Federal resources to build out the data resources needed for an AI-powered future.”
The Department is seeking input from data center developers, energy developers, and the broader public to further advance this partnership. The information collected will be used to inform development, encourage private-public partnerships and enable the construction of AI infrastructure at select DOE sites with a target of commencing operation by the end of 2027. The sites also offer the industry a chance to partner with DOE’s world-class research facilities co-located on the sites, furthering advancements in both the power systems design needed to run the centers and developing next-generation data center hardware. Publicly available information about each site, including location, available acreage, and other characteristics is provided in appendices to the RFI.
Additionally, the RFI aims to gather information on potential development approaches, technology solutions, operational models, and economic considerations associated with establishing AI infrastructure. Read the original article here.
ECA plans to discuss the RFI in depth at our fourth annual ECA Forum: Moving New Nuclear Projects Forward, to be held from April 22-24 in Idaho Falls, ID with
support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy and the Idaho National Laboratory.
RECORDING AVAILABLE - OPEN FOR BUSINESS: NEW NUCLEAR OPPORTUNITIES
In case you missed it, a recording is now available for ECA's April 2 Webinar "Open for Business: New Nuclear Opportunities". Dr. Goff, the Acting Director, and
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy kicked off the discussion and was joined by: - John Kotek - Senior Vice President, Policy & Public Affairs, Nuclear Energy Institute
- Cat Clifford - Senior Science & Economics Correspondent, Cipher News
- Chuck Hope - City Councilor, City of Oak Ridge, TN
- Diahann Howard - Executive Director, Port of Benton, WA
Moderator: - Laura Hermann, Deputy Executive Director, Energy Communities Alliance
Learn about the latest in nuclear energy development and how many communities and states are attracting the businesses that will develop the nuclear future. These discussions will set the stage for conversations that ECA looks to continue at the fourth annual ECA Forum: Moving New Nuclear Projects Forward, to be held from April 22-24 in Idaho Falls, ID with support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy and the Idaho National Laboratory. We have confirmed Dr Goff, the head of the DOE Nuclear Energy’s Office, David Wright, Director of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and speakers from dozens of nuclear energy innovators and developers from all stages of the fuel cycle. Leading developers of nuclear energy actives will all be at our meeting, including: - Aalo
Atomics
- Amentum
- BWXT
- Curio
- Energy Solutions
- Fluor
- Holtec International
- Kairos Power
- Navarro
- North Wind
- Nuclear Energy Institute
- Oklo Inc.
- Terrestrial Energy
- ZenoPower
- ...and more!
For the latest on new nuclear developments read our latest report that focuses on the communities across the country that were once home to government nuclear sites and/or former commercial energy plants are ready to unleash the next wave of nuclear technologies. In “From the Atomic Age to New Nuclear,” ECA outlines a host of projects either underway or currently planned at sites across the county to support new nuclear development across the fuel cycle.
September 23 - 25, 2025 | Crystal Gateway
Marriott | Arlington, VA
Hosted by ECA with the cooperation of the Energy Facility Contractors Group and DOE-EM, the workshop brings together more than 800 senior DOE executives, officials from DOE sites, industry leaders, local elected
officials, contractors and community stakeholders to discuss EM’s progress to address the environmental legacy of the Manhattan Project and Cold War-era U.S. nuclear weapons program. Hear from senior DOE leaders, local government officials, and industry leaders about DOE's cleanup priorities, the future of the workforce, and more.
The National Cleanup Workshop is hosted by the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) with the cooperation of the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM)*.
WHAT YOU'VE MISSED: Discovering, Making, and Testing New Materials: SRNL’s Center For Hierarchical Waste Form Materials Savannah River
National Laboratory researchers are building on the laboratory’s legacy of using cutting-edge science to effectively immobilize nuclear waste in innovative ways. As part of the Center for Hierarchical Waste Form Materials, SRNL is leveraging its depth of experience in radiological waste management to explore new frontiers in the industry. Read the full story NANO Nuclear and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Sign Landmark Agreement to Build the First KRONOS MMR™ Research Reactor NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, is pleased to announce the signing of a
strategic collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.) to construct the first research KRONOS micro modular reactor (MMR) on the university’s campus. Read the full story TVA’s Clinch River Nuclear Power Project: Where Things Stand Today The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has for many years been evaluating emerging nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, as part of technology innovation efforts aimed at developing the energy system of the future. TVA—the largest public power provider in the U.S., serving more than 10 million people in parts of seven states—currently operates seven reactors at three nuclear power plants: Browns Ferry,
Sequoyah, and Watts Bar. Meanwhile, it’s also been investing in the exploration of new nuclear technology by pursuing small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Clinch River Nuclear site in Tennessee. Read the full story
NucleCast - The Honorable William Ostendorff - The Future of Warhead Modernization and Strategic Deterrence Mar. 25, 2025 | S02 E212 In this Future Series episode, Kris Osborn and Captain William Ostendorff discuss the critical aspects of nuclear deterrence, focusing on warhead modernization, technological advancements, and the importance of reliability in nuclear weapons. Captain Ostendorff shares insights from his extensive experience in the Navy and his roles in various
nuclear security programs, emphasizing the complexities of today's geopolitical landscape and the need for a robust nuclear strategy. The discussion also highlights the role of digital engineering and advanced computing in enhancing weapon performance and reliability, as well as the integration of non-nuclear components in nuclear systems. https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/
ECA New Nuclear Forum 2025 Idaho Falls, ID | April 22 - 24 Register Here National Cleanup Workshop 2025 Arlington, VA | September 23 - 25 Learn More Here
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