FERC to Accelerate Interconnection, Hydropower
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to initiate rulemaking procedures to accelerate the interconnection of large-scale energy loads, such as data centers, to bolster U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and domestic manufacturing.
In a separate directive, Wright ordered FERC to propose a rule removing unnecessary burdens for preliminary hydroelectric power permits, clarifying that third parties cannot veto such permits.
The first directive aims to address the surging energy demands of data centers critical to AI innovation and the revitalization of U.S. manufacturing. By streamlining interconnection processes, the Department of Energy seeks to reduce delays and ensure reliable power access for the high-demand facilities. The move comes as the U.S. competes globally to maintain technological and industrial dominance, with data centers requiring significant energy to support advanced computing.
In his letter to FERC, Wright emphasized the urgency of the initiative.
“The United States must lead in AI innovation and the revitalization of domestic manufacturing, both of which depend on rapid and reliable access to electricity,” he wrote. “Accelerating the interconnection of large loads, like data centers, is critical to meeting these national priorities.”
~Western Dakota
Energy Association
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