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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trump administration unveils executive actions to boost energy supply for AI expansion
The Trump administration is readying a package of executive actions aimed at boosting energy supply to power the US expansion of artificial intelligence, according to four sources familiar with the planning. Top economic rivals US and China are locked in a technological arms race and with it secure an economic and military edge. The huge amount of data processing behind AI requires a rapid increase in power supplies that are straining utilities and grids in many states. The moves under consideration include making it easier for power-generating projects to connect to the grid, and providing federal land on which to build the data centers needed to expand AI technology, according to the sources. The administration will also release an AI action plan and schedule public events to draw public attention to the efforts, according to the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Training large-scale AI models requires a huge amount of electricity, and the industry's growth is driving the first big increase in US power demand in decades. Between 2024 and 2029, US electricity demand is projected to grow at five times the rate predicted in 2022, according to power-sector consultancy Grid Strategies. Meanwhile, power demand from AI data centers could grow more than thirtyfold by 2035, according to a new report by consultancy Deloitte. Building and connecting new power generation to the grid, however, has been a major hurdle because such projects require extensive impact studies that can take years to complete, and existing transmission infrastructure is overwhelmed. Among the ideas under consideration by the administration is to identify more fully developed power projects and move them higher on the waiting list for connection, two of the sources said. Siting data centers has also been challenging because larger facilities require a lot of space and resources, and can face zoning obstacles or public opposition. The executive orders could provide a solution to that by offering land managed by the Defense Department or Interior Department to project developers, the sources said. The administration is also considering streamlining permitting for data centers by creating a nationwide Clean Water Act permit, rather than requiring companies to seek permits on a state-by-state basis, according to one of the sources. In January, Trump hosted top tech CEOs at the White House to highlight the Stargate Project, a multi-billion effort led by ChatGPT's creator OpenAI , SoftBank and Oracle to build data centers and create more than 100,000 jobs in the US Trump has prioritized winning the AI race against China and declared on his first day in office a national energy emergency aimed at removing all regulatory obstacles to oil and gas drilling, coal and critical mineral mining, and building new gas and nuclear power plants to bring more energy capacity online. He also ordered his administration in January to produce an AI Action Plan that would make "America the world capital in artificial intelligence" and reduce regulatory barriers to its rapid expansion. That report, which includes input from the National Security Council, is due by July 23. The White House is considering making July 23 "AI Action Day" to draw attention to the report and demonstrate its commitment to expanding the industry, two of the sources said. Trump is scheduled to speak at an AI and energy event in Pennsylvania on July 15 hosted by Senator Dave McCormick. Amazon earlier this month announced it would invest $20 billion in data centers in two Pennsylvania counties.
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Trump plans executive orders to power AI growth in race with China
The Trump administration is readying a package of executive actions aimed at boosting energy supply to power the U.S. expansion of artificial intelligence, according to four sources familiar with the planning. Top economic rivals U.S. and China are locked in a technological arms race and with it secure an economic and military edge. The huge amount of data processing behind AI requires a rapid increase in power supplies that are straining utilities and grids in many states. The moves under consideration include making it easier for power-generating projects to connect to the grid, and providing federal land on which to build the data centers needed to expand AI technology, according to the sources. The administration will also release an AI action plan and schedule public events to draw public attention to the efforts, according to the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Training large-scale AI models requires a huge amount of electricity, and the industry's growth is driving the first big increase in U.S. power demand in decades. Between 2024 and 2029, U.S. electricity demand is projected to grow at five times the rate predicted in 2022, according to power-sector consultancy Grid Strategies. Meanwhile, power demand from AI data centers could grow more than thirtyfold by 2035, according to a new report by consultancy Deloitte. Building and connecting new power generation to the grid, however, has been a major hurdle because such projects require extensive impact studies that can take years to complete, and existing transmission infrastructure is overwhelmed. Among the ideas under consideration by the administration is to identify more fully developed power projects and move them higher on the waiting list for connection, two of the sources said. Siting data centers has also been challenging because larger facilities require a lot of space and resources, and can face zoning obstacles or public opposition. The executive orders could provide a solution to that by offering land managed by the Defense Department or Interior Department to project developers, the sources said. The administration is also considering streamlining permitting for data centers by creating a nationwide Clean Water Act permit, rather than requiring companies to seek permits on a state-by-state basis, according to one of the sources. In January, Trump hosted top tech CEOs at the White House to highlight the Stargate Project, a multi-billion effort led by ChatGPT's creator OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle to build data centers and create more than 100,000 jobs in the U.S. Trump has prioritized winning the AI race against China and declared on his first day in office a national energy emergency aimed at removing all regulatory obstacles to oil and gas drilling, coal and critical mineral mining, and building new gas and nuclear power plants to bring more energy capacity online. He also ordered his administration in January to produce an AI Action Plan that would make 'America the world capital in artificial intelligence' and reduce regulatory barriers to its rapid expansion. That report, which includes input from the National Security Council, is due by July 23. The White House is considering making July 23 'AI Action Day' to draw attention to the report and demonstrate its commitment to expanding the industry, two of the sources said. Trump is scheduled to speak at an AI and energy event in Pennsylvania on July 15 hosted by Senator Dave McCormick. Amazon earlier this month announced it would invest $20 billion in data centers in two Pennsylvania counties.
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Scotsman
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Scotsman
Sewage spills could spoil summer trips to Edinburgh's Cramond beauty spot, claims MSP
Sewage overspills could spoil summer trips to one of Edinburgh's most popular beauty spots, an MSP has claimed. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Two sewage overflow sites in Cramond are among 12 across Scotland deemed at risk of spilling during dry weather, according to Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) in an answer to Scottish Lib Dem leader and Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton. Sewage spills in dry weather are said to be of particular concern because the lack of rainfall means there is nothing to dilute it and it just accumulates. A map showing the location of the two sites in Cramond where sewage spills are a risk | supplied Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An ESS report said 12 sites had been identified where there was a risk of dry spills and Mr Cole-Hamilton asked for the locations. These included the combined sewer overflow at Cramond wastewater pumping station and another combined sewer overflow at Glebe Road, Cramond. The other 10 sites were in East Ayrshire, Falkirk and Fife. Mr Cole-Hamilton said: "I am very concerned to see that within my own constituency of Cramond there are two sites at risk of dumping sewage in dry weather. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Cramond is a hugely popular beauty spot, but sewage dumping makes it so much harder for people to come and enjoy the area. "Dry spilling is especially dangerous to the environment because sewage discharges will not have been diluted by rainwater. To make matters worse, Environmental Standards Scotland say this figure is actually an underestimate. "The government must urgently assess the scale of the problem- the public deserve to know the full picture about this disgusting practice." Scottish Lib Dems have called for every sewage spill to be monitored and published with binding targets for their reduction; a complete ban on the release of sewage in protected areas such as bathing waters; and a blue flag system for Scotland's rivers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Cole-Hamilton said: "The SNP keep turning a blind eye to the sewage problem, letting down residents and endangering the environment. "To turn the tide on this scandal, Scottish Liberal Democrats have published plans for a Clean Water Act that would end the excuses, get tough on sewage dumping and protect our rivers, lochs and beaches long into the future." Scottish Water insisted it did not "dump" sewage and said whatever was discharged was only one per cent waste water from toilets and largely water from sinks, showers, household appliances and run-off from roads. A spokesperson said: 'Overflows normally only operate during heavy rainfall to help prevent flooding to homes and business and, if there is no heavy rainfall, discharges are unlikely. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Data from our monitors helps us identify more quickly if an asset is overflowing in dry weather, allowing us to respond and repair quicker. 'Work is already underway on overflows identified as 'High Priority' from our studies, which include those at risk of overflowing in dry weather. The assets near Cramond are included in this work, which are part of our £500m investment, along with others like the work we have just started at Corstorphine Road for the Water of Leith.' The £3m project in Corstorphine, due to last about six months, involves installing new screens and spill chambers to a storm overflow under Corstorphine Road to help prevent sewer related debris from entering the Water of Leith. The spokesperson added: 'We are monitoring more overflows than ever before, providing more information on overflows than ever before and investing more than ever before in our waste water network. 'Scotland's water quality is at its highest level ever and we remain committed to targeting resources and investment to preserve and protect Scotland's water environment.'
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Business Standard
17 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Trump plans executive orders to power AI growth in race with China
The Trump administration is readying a package of executive actions aimed at boosting energy supply to power the US expansion of artificial intelligence, according to four sources familiar with the planning. Top economic rivals US and China are locked in a technological arms race and with it secure an economic and military edge. The huge amount of data processing behind AI requires a rapid increase in power supplies that are straining utilities and grids in many states. The moves under consideration include making it easier for power-generating projects to connect to the grid, and providing federal land on which to build the data centers needed to expand AI technology, according to the sources. The administration will also release an AI action plan and schedule public events to draw public attention to the efforts, according to the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Training large-scale AI models requires a huge amount of electricity, and the industry's growth is driving the first big increase in US power demand in decades. Between 2024 and 2029, US electricity demand is projected to grow at five times the rate predicted in 2022, according to power-sector consultancy Grid Strategies. Meanwhile, power demand from AI data centers could grow more than thirtyfold by 2035, according to a new report by consultancy Deloitte. Building and connecting new power generation to the grid, however, has been a major hurdle because such projects require extensive impact studies that can take years to complete, and existing transmission infrastructure is overwhelmed. Among the ideas under consideration by the administration is to identify more fully developed power projects and move them higher on the waiting list for connection, two of the sources said. Siting data centers has also been challenging because larger facilities require a lot of space and resources, and can face zoning obstacles or public opposition. The executive orders could provide a solution to that by offering land managed by the Defense Department or Interior Department to project developers, the sources said. The administration is also considering streamlining permitting for data centers by creating a nationwide Clean Water Act permit, rather than requiring companies to seek permits on a state-by-state basis, according to one of the sources. In January, Trump hosted top tech CEOs at the White House to highlight the Stargate Project, a multi-billion effort led by ChatGPT's creator OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle to build data centers and create more than 100,000 jobs in the US Trump has prioritized winning the AI race against China and declared on his first day in office a national energy emergency aimed at removing all regulatory obstacles to oil and gas drilling, coal and critical mineral mining, and building new gas and nuclear power plants to bring more energy capacity online. He also ordered his administration in January to produce an AI Action Plan that would make "America the world capital in artificial intelligence" and reduce regulatory barriers to its rapid expansion. That report, which includes input from the National Security Council, is due by July 23. The White House is considering making July 23 "AI Action Day" to draw attention to the report and demonstrate its commitment to expanding the industry, two of the sources said. Trump is scheduled to speak at an AI and energy event in Pennsylvania on July 15 hosted by Senator Dave McCormick. Amazon earlier this month announced it would invest $20 billion in data centers in two Pennsylvania counties.
Engadget
19 hours ago
- Business
- Engadget
Donald Trump is reportedly preparing a sweep of pro-AI executive orders
We know what you're thinking: there just isn't enough AI around right now. Luckily for you, Donald Trump emphatically agrees. According to a new report from Reuters , his administration is assembling a number of executive actions that would significantly increase the energy supply used for expanding artificial intelligence. The US and China are currently battling it out to lead the way in the rapidly growing sector, but American companies will need more infrastructure to make the advances Trump wants. "With the right Government policies, we can solidify our position as the global leader in AI and secure a brighter future for all Americans," he said back in January when signing an executive order in his first days in office that made clear his intention to reduce any regulatory hurdles to allow unchecked development in the area. Reuters was told by sources that asked to remain anonymous that, if passed, the planned executive orders would "make it easier for power-generating projects to connect to the grid, and provide federal land on which to build the data centers needed to expand AI technology." The Trump administration is reportedly also planning to release an "AI action plan" and schedule a number of public events that promote its ongoing efforts. Power-hungry data centers are often large and not quick to build, but in an attempt to speed up the process, Trump's actions may offer land managed by the Defense Department or Interior Department to AI project developers. A nationwide Clean Water Act permit, meanwhile, would mean permission to build would no longer operate on a state-by-state basis, making it easier for developers to get projects off the ground. Donald Trump's AI crusade has been ongoing since he took office. After initially taking an eraser to Biden's extensive AI protection framework, the US House of Representatives narrowly passed a "big, beautiful bill" that places a 10-year ban on state AI regulations. It still has to pass through the Senate.
