The U.S. Department of Energy on July 24 announced the next steps in the Trump administration’s plan to accelerate the development of AI infrastructure through siting on DOE lands.
DOE has selected four sites -- Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Reservation, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and Savannah River Site -- to move forward with plans to invite private sector partners to develop cutting edge AI data center and energy generation projects.
In a July 24 LinkedIn post, the Tennessee Valley Authority noted that two of the sites are in its region - Oak Ridge Reservation and Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant.
“With the nation’s only permitted site for a new small modular reactor (SMR) at our Clinch River Nuclear Site, adjacent to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and one of the most diverse energy portfolios in the country, including gigawatt-scale nuclear, flexible natural gas, hydropower, and coal, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the reliable, resilient power needed to support advanced AI, drive innovation, and fuel regional economic growth,” TVA said.
The DOE announcement “supports the Trump administration’s goals of utilizing Federal lands to lower energy costs and help power the global AI race, as outlined in President Trump’s Executive Orders on Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure, Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security, and Unleashing American Energy,” DOE said.
DOE said it received enormous interest in response to its April request for information that helped inform the selection of these sites.
The chosen locations are well-situated for large-scale data centers, new power generation, and other necessary infrastructure, DOE said.
“DOE looks forward to working with data center developers, energy companies, and the broader public in consultation with states, local governments, and federally recognized tribes that these projects will serve to further advance this important initiative,” it said.
More details regarding project scope, eligibility requirements, and submission guidelines at each site will be available with site-specific releases.
These solicitations are expected to be released in the coming months and partners could be selected by the end of the year.
DOE is also evaluating additional sites that could issue solicitations in the future.
