The DOE has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights on development approaches and technology solutions related to AI infrastructure, with responses due within 30 days.

While Biden's order emphasized a mix of clean energy sources, including solar and wind, the Trump administration's focus has primarily been on nuclear energy options at the sites.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to leverage domestic resources to support the AI sector, with a target for operational readiness by the end of 2027.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has identified 16 potential sites across the U.S. for rapid data center construction, strategically located near existing energy infrastructure and with expedited permitting for new energy generation, including nuclear power.

These sites encompass national laboratories such as Los Alamos, Sandia, and Oak Ridge, which are pivotal for advancing AI-related research and infrastructure.

The DOE is actively seeking input from data center and energy developers, as well as the public, to refine the development approach for these sites, aiming to commence construction by the end of 2025.

The DOE plans to establish public-private partnerships to leverage national labs, enhancing both energy systems and data center technology.

The selected sites will facilitate collaboration between industry partners and DOE's research facilities, enhancing power systems design and developing next-generation data center hardware.

Despite former President Trump's attempts to roll back many of President Biden's AI policies, he has expressed support for the data center initiative, indicating interest in utilizing federal lands for these projects.

This initiative follows an executive order signed by President Biden in January 2025, which aims to reduce barriers for AI data center expansion while promoting renewable energy sources.

The demand for electricity in U.S. data centers has tripled over the past decade and is projected to double or triple again by 2028, potentially consuming up to 12% of the nation's electricity.

Both the Biden and Trump administrations are focused on accelerating the licensing and construction of new nuclear reactors to provide carbon-free electricity for these data centers.