The deadline to submit a response to the the Department of Energy's (DOE) request for
information (RFI) to inform possible use of DOE land for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure development passed last week on Wednesday, May 7. In order to support growing demand for data centers, DOE has identified 16 potential sites uniquely positioned for rapid data center construction. This includes in-place energy infrastructure with the ability to fast-track permitting for new energy generation, such as nuclear power, with a target of commencing
operation by the end of 2027.
DOE sought input from data center developers, energy developers, Tribes, States, local governments, local communities, universities, businesses, utilities, and the broader public to further advance this partnership.
ECA submitted its own comments for the RFI to DOE.
"The DOE Initiative has the support of the local communities who want to participate in the projects. Datacenter and energy development are key economic opportunities and many of the communities are hosting or want to host new development outlined by the DOE Initiative. We and the local governments adjacent to each DOE site identified in the DOE Initiative look forward to working with DOE on the new DOE Initiative.
Our communities have significant experience working DOE leases and land conveyance activities. In fact, DOE’s most successful projects are where DOE works with the local government or economic development entities, including community reuse organizations, ports and other similar entities to lease or convey the land sole source to that entity through the DOE 10 CFR Part 770 and the Atomic Energy Act §161g. These entities facilitate infrastructure
development, land permitting, zoning and other activities to make the projects feasible and then sublease or convey the land to private developers. In addition, many of the community development authorities facilitate the financing of the projects.
ECA supports the AI infrastructure initiative and DOE’s commitment to engage with local public officials as a channel for DOE to create private sector deployment opportunities.
This is a big step forward for DOE to help facilitate economic development in energy communities and accelerate the reuse of site land neighboring these communities. ECA asks DOE to expand the DOE Initiative to all current and former DOE sites that are interested. Further, we ask that DOE include opportunities to reuse former coal facilities and other energy facilities for datacenters and new nuclear energy development."
To
read ECA's comments in full, visit our website.
The next step for DOE will be to put out a competitive public
solicitation. All communities interested in future opportunities, whether they are specifically listed on future RFIs and solicitations or not, are encouraged to submit responses to these opportunities.
ECA will be hosting a webinar "What You Need to Know: AI Infrastructure on DOE Sites" to hold an
in-depth discussion on the RFI. For more details on this webinar and how to register, see below!
