Trump Administration’s Burgum and DOE Advocate All-Of-The-Above Energy Strategy, 16 Federal Sites for AI to Compete with China

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who also leads President Trump's National Energy Dominance Council, has emphasized the urgent need to expand energy production and infrastructure in the United States to maintain technological and economic competitiveness, particularly against China. Burgum warned of a "real energy emergency," highlighting that while the U.S. holds a technological advantage, China is currently leading in electricity generation. The Department of Energy (DOE), under Secretary Wright's leadership, is prioritizing innovation and energy dominance by supporting an "all-of-the-above" strategy that includes renewables, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy. The DOE has identified 16 federal sites for co-locating AI data centers and energy infrastructure to bolster U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence development. Lawmakers such as Rep. Buddy Carter and Rep. Paul Tonko advocate for bipartisan support to reform permitting processes and maintain energy incentives to lower costs, boost manufacturing, and enhance competitiveness. The Trump administration is committed to reversing previous regulatory policies to unleash American energy dominance, utilizing abundant domestic resources like coal, oil, and natural gas. Experts and policymakers stress that modernizing the nation’s energy infrastructure, much of which dates back to the 20th century, is critical to meeting 21st-century demands and securing national security. The focus on energy is framed as a national security issue rather than a political one, with calls to accelerate production and infrastructure development to win the technological arms race with China.