Biden Signs Executive Order to Expedite AI Data Center Development
In a significant move to bolster the United States' infrastructure for artificial intelligence, President Joe Biden has issued an executive order aimed at speeding the construction of AI data centers. This initiative emphasizes the leasing of federal lands to private entities for the development of AI data hubs, while streamlining the permitting process for such projects.
Roles of Department of Defense and Department of Energy
The directive calls on the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Energy (DOE) to identify and lease federal lands to companies interested in building these energy-intensive AI data centers along with their power facilities. The order instructs government agencies to "prioritize" and expedite the permitting process, creating what might be understood as "categorical exclusions" to facilitate quicker environmental review processes, particularly under the National Environmental Protection Act.
AI Development and Energy Consumption
As the advent of new AI technologies demands substantial energy resources, President Biden acknowledged the potential environmental risks. However, he underscored the necessity of maintaining US leadership in technological innovation: "We will not let America be out-built when it comes to the technology that will define the future," he stated.
Concerns from Environmental and Consumer Groups
Prior to this announcement, environmental advocates, consumer organizations, and Democratic lawmakers expressed concern over the potential environmental impact of fast-tracking data center constructions. They urged the administration to reconsider any actions that could lead to pollution and increased consumer costs.
Escalating Electricity Demand
According to a report by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, energy consumption by data centers in the US has tripled over the past ten years and may double or triple again by 2028. This surge is propelled by the computational power required for AI model development, potentially doubling the current 4.4% of national electricity consumption to 12% within the next five years.
Requirements for Data Center Developers
To mitigate these concerns, developers of AI data centers on federal land must bear all costs related to construction and operation, ensuring these advancements do not inflate electricity costs for consumers. This includes building necessary power facilities and transmission infrastructure, sourcing clean energy, ensuring AI development security, and committing to using American-made semiconductors.
Environmental Considerations and Future Implications
Johanna Neumann from Environment America Research & Policy Center highlighted the importance of balancing AI advancements with environmental responsibilities: "In the race to dominate AI, we can't lose sight of the very real race to stop the pollution that’s warming our planet and harming our health." The administration aims to ensure that new computing facilities are efficient and powered by renewable energy sources, to prevent AI's "insatiable thirst for energy" from undermining US efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Selection of Sites for AI Data Centers
The executive order tasks the Secretaries of Defense and Energy to identify feasible sites for these centers by February 28, on lands they manage. This continues the US government’s practice of leasing federal lands for various energy developments, including fossil fuels and renewables.