America’s energy infrastructure, once a marvel of engineering, is now teetering on the edge of irrelevance. At a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize industries, our inability to generate and deliver reliable, high-capacity power is placing an anchor on our potential. AI’s vast data centers and computing power demand unprecedented amounts of energy. Yet, the backbone of our power grid—already crumbling under regulation and an over-reliance on renewables—cannot keep up. If we don’t course-correct, America’s leadership in the AI revolution will be stifled, and with it, our national security and economic dominance.
The reality is simple: the future of AI depends on energy. As Microsoft recently illustrated in its move to power its AI data centers through nuclear energy, the current grid is insufficient for the demand AI requires. AI’s future isn’t intermittent, like wind and solar; it needs continuous, reliable baseload power. If wind turbines and solar panels are the solution, someone forgot to tell AI systems that they should take a break when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.
The editorial in the Wall Street Journal aptly captures how corporate giants like Microsoft and Amazon are being forced to turn to nuclear power simply because our policies are failing to deliver. The story of Three Mile Island’s nuclear reactor restarting to meet Microsoft’s AI needs should be a national wake-up call. Our regulatory framework—driven by policies more focused on virtue-signaling than practicality—is accelerating the premature closure of coal and natural gas plants, while insufficient wind and solar subsidies are unable to provide the reliable energy our nation demands .
Let’s face the facts: wind and solar, while clean and part of the solution, cannot meet our needs alone. As grid operators across the country warn, the unreliability of renewables is a ticking time bomb for blackouts. Energy storage technology is still in its infancy, and to think batteries will solve this problem anytime soon is delusional. The U.S. needs a consistent, unyielding power source. Fortunately, nuclear energy offers exactly that—clean, reliable, and safe. Yet, for decades, it’s been sidelined by myths and an environmental movement more concerned with optics than reality.
The resurgence of nuclear energy, as evidenced by Microsoft’s deal and similar ventures by Amazon, underscores its critical role in our energy future. Nuclear power is no longer the bogeyman of the 20th century. Modern nuclear reactors are safe, cost-effective, and produce no carbon emissions. Moreover, they provide the kind of steady, baseload power that AI systems—and our economy—need to flourish. It’s time for U.S. policy to fully embrace nuclear energy, removing the red tape that stifles its growth and encourages investment in new-generation nuclear plants.
The U.S. must also reevaluate its energy regulation approach. Deregulation of the energy sector could unleash innovation and efficiency, allowing the private sector to meet the growing energy demands without the constraints imposed by bureaucratic inefficiencies. Deregulation would attract investment in nuclear and other advanced energy technologies, bolstering national security by reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources and stabilizing our grid. Stronger energy independence means stronger national security.
Compare this to China, which has shown a near-complete disregard for environmental standards, building new coal plants at a staggering pace. While we debate the environmental impact of fossil fuels, China forges ahead with unabated industrial growth. They recognize that energy production is the bedrock of economic and military strength. While we shutter power plants, they are rapidly increasing their capacity, unconcerned with the environmental costs. This disparity in approach could give China an insurmountable lead in the AI arms race, particularly in terms of military applications. If America cannot meet the energy needs of its burgeoning AI infrastructure, China will certainly fill the void.
Energy usage projections are staggering. By 2030, data centers are expected to account for more than 10% of global electricity demand, and AI will only accelerate that. The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns that renewable sources alone will not be able to meet these demands unless massive investments in grid infrastructure are made—investments the U.S. seems ill-prepared to make under its current policy framework. In contrast, nuclear energy can offer a reliable alternative to meet these projections without compromising our environmental goals.
America needs a serious rethinking of its energy policies. We must embrace nuclear energy, not as a last resort but as a cornerstone of our energy future. Wind and solar are part of the answer, but they cannot and will not be the sole solution for the monumental task of powering the next era of AI and technology. Deregulation will fuel the innovation necessary to keep pace with the world, strengthen our national security, and ensure that our economic and military might are not undermined by the flickering lights of an overburdened grid.
We are at a critical juncture: The AI revolution is here, and it demands energy. Whether we choose to rise to the occasion or allow our competitors to surpass us depends on the choices we make today.
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