The U.S. Department of Energy has marked 16 federal sites as potential hosts for data centers and AI infrastructure. These locations already have existing power infrastructure. This initiative is part of a broader federal push to enhance AI infrastructure and is set for completion by 2027.
The Department of Energy has issued a request for information to gather proposals for the construction of these facilities. The decision to expedite AI infrastructure development reflects a shift from the Biden administration’s final initiatives. Earlier, the Departments of Defense and Energy had been tasked with identifying three federal sites for AI data centers powered by clean energy.
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, Michael Kratsios, emphasized the administration’s commitment to American leadership in AI. “The Trump Administration will unleash federal resources to build out the data resources needed for an AI-powered future,” he stated.
The proposed sites are geographically spread and are typically existing federal science laboratories or decommissioned nuclear facilities. These sites include Idaho National Laboratory, which spans 62,000 acres, and is known for building advanced technologies. The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Kentucky is another candidate, designed for substantial power and water supply.
Meanwhile, the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois is poised to accommodate a 110-acre AI data park, capitalizing on its proximity to Chicago and access to high-voltage power. Similarly, Brookhaven National Laboratory east of New York City is considered for a data center powered by a large gas turbine plant.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory features prominently due to its large-scale data handling capabilities, with an extensive acreage available for development. Moreover, it benefits from high-speed networking and EHV transmission infrastructure.
Other noted locations include the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado, ideal for initiating a 100 MW data center, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington, favorably located in a stable, dry climate with access to hydroelectric and nuclear power resources.
