American Energy Abundance Is the Weapon We Need to Defeat China in the AI Race

The United States stands at a pivotal moment. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global landscape, and the nation that masters it will lead the world. Yet, AI’s voracious appetite for power threatens to outstrip our energy supply. At the Hamm Institute’s Powering AI Summit in Oklahoma, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, laid out a vision to secure America’s technological edge through robust energy production. Their message was clear: unleash American energy to fuel AI dominance.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. AI data centers, consuming as much electricity as small cities, are projected to double their power demand by 2030. Without a reliable, scalable energy supply, the U.S. risks ceding ground to rivals like China, which is aggressively expanding its own AI and energy infrastructure. The Trump administration, with USDA at the forefront, is tackling this challenge head-on, prioritizing domestic energy production to keep America first.

Critics argue that renewable energy alone can meet this demand, pushing for wind and solar to power the AI revolution. But their vision ignores the hard reality: renewables, while valuable, lack the consistent, round-the-clock reliability that AI data centers require. The USDA’s strategy, rooted in practical innovation, embraces an all-of-the-above approach, leveraging America’s vast natural gas, coal, and emerging technologies to ensure grid stability and economic strength.

Under Secretary Rollins’ leadership, the USDA is slashing bureaucratic barriers to energy development. By streamlining permitting and coordinating with the Department of Energy and EPA, the administration is fast-tracking projects that bolster rural prosperity and national security. The recent push to utilize federal lands for energy production, including natural gas and modern coal plants, is a game-changer. These efforts are already yielding results, with plans for 80 new natural gas plants by 2030, adding 46 gigawatts of capacity to power AI hubs.

Permitting reform is central to this strategy. The National Environmental Policy Act, once a shield for environmental protection, has morphed into a weapon for delay, bogging down projects with endless reviews and litigation. The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, championed by forward-thinking policymakers, is dismantling these obstacles, unlocking private capital and accelerating both fossil fuel and clean energy projects. This isn’t about sacrificing the environment; it’s about ensuring America has the energy to lead.

Opponents claim these reforms prioritize fossil fuels over sustainability, warning of environmental fallout. Yet, their argument falters when you consider that clean energy projects often face even longer permitting delays. By expediting approvals across the board, the USDA is enabling a balanced energy mix that supports AI growth while reducing emissions through smarter, faster deployment of renewables and advanced technologies like carbon capture.

Energy independence isn’t just an economic issue; it’s a matter of national security. The U.S. shale revolution has already reduced reliance on foreign oil, shielding the nation from global market shocks. Now, with AI poised to redefine global power dynamics, a stable, domestic energy supply is non-negotiable. The USDA’s collaboration with Energy Secretary Wright ensures that America’s vast natural gas reserves and modern coal facilities are fully leveraged to meet AI’s demands, safeguarding our technological leadership.

China’s aggressive investment in AI and energy infrastructure serves as a stark warning. If the U.S. fails to expand its energy capacity, we risk power shortages, skyrocketing costs, and a weakened grid. The Trump administration’s focus on fossil fuels, paired with strategic investments in nuclear and renewables, ensures that America remains self-sufficient and competitive. This approach not only powers AI but also protects critical supply chains and military readiness.

Some argue for a rapid pivot to renewables to achieve energy independence, citing climate concerns. But their timeline ignores the immediate needs of AI data centers and the limitations of current renewable technology. A pragmatic strategy, grounded in America’s resource abundance, delivers the reliability and affordability needed to stay ahead while advancing cleaner innovations over time.

The consequences of failing to act are dire. Data centers are expected to consume nearly half of U.S. electricity demand growth by 2030, with global consumption reaching 945 terawatt-hours, rivaling Japan’s entire grid. AI servers, with their high-power GPUs, are driving this surge, requiring up to 10 times the energy of traditional servers. Without expanded fossil fuel capacity, particularly natural gas, the grid could buckle under the strain, leading to blackouts and crippling price spikes for consumers and businesses.

The USDA’s work with the EPA to advance biofuels and risk-based crop protection tools further strengthens rural economies while supporting energy diversification. By prioritizing market access and innovation, the administration is ensuring that farmers and energy producers alike benefit from the AI boom. This holistic approach contrasts sharply with narrow, ideologically driven policies that overpromise on renewables while ignoring the immediate need for reliable power.

The path forward is clear: America must harness its energy resources to power the AI revolution and secure its place as the world’s technological leader. The USDA, under Secretary Rollins, is leading this charge, breaking down barriers, fostering innovation, and putting American workers and communities first. By embracing natural gas, coal, and strategic reforms, the administration is building a future where energy abundance drives prosperity and security.

The Hamm Institute Summit underscored this vision, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to align on a strategy that keeps America ahead. As Congressman Frank Lucas noted, states like Oklahoma, with their robust natural gas production, are poised to play a pivotal role. The USDA’s bold leadership ensures that the U.S. will not only meet AI’s energy demands but also set the global standard for technological and economic dominance.