America has a long and proud history of leading industrial revolutions, from steel and energy to manufacturing. Now, as we stand on the cusp of the AI revolution, we have the power and the leadership to once again take the helm. This week, President Trump convened industry leaders in Pittsburgh to address a critical challenge: powering this technological leap forward with the abundant and affordable energy resources we possess right here in the United States.
This isn’t just about economic growth; it’s about national security and global leadership. A recent $500 billion private sector investment in AI is a significant step, but this technology demands massive, reliable, and cost-effective power. The question isn’t simply who writes the best code, but who can build the infrastructure to support it—and America has the unique advantage of energy dominance to fuel this ambition. This requires a balanced approach, recognizing the role of renewable energy sources while acknowledging the immediate need for reliable and affordable power generation to meet the surging demands of AI data centers.
Current US energy policy has, at times, prioritized climate idealism over energy pragmatism. While wind, solar, and battery technologies will undoubtedly play a crucial role in our future energy mix, they currently lack the scale and reliability necessary to power the projected demand of AI. Furthermore, these options are more expensive than domestic natural gas. A failure to adopt a balanced strategy risks forfeiting the economic and national security benefits of AI leadership to other nations.
Other countries are actively courting AI investment, offering substantial subsidies and streamlined infrastructure development. China, for example, is rapidly expanding its data center capacity, while Malaysia boasts significantly faster approval processes. The reality is, some American companies are already investing in data center growth overseas—a trend that needs to be reversed.
The solution lies in leveraging America’s abundant and low-cost natural gas reserves. The US is the world’s leading producer of natural gas, and we can utilize this resource to power our AI infrastructure independently of the existing power grid. This approach prevents competition for grid-connected power, thus avoiding price hikes for consumers and easing the strain on our existing electrical system. Innovative partnerships are key, and companies like Chevron are collaborating with Engine No. 1 and GE Vernova to develop facilities providing reliable, affordable, and long-term power solutions.
President Trump, alongside Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Senator David McCormick, understand the strategic importance of this initiative. By harnessing American natural gas, we can secure our technological leadership, bolster national security, and stimulate economic growth. We have the capacity to lead the AI revolution; it’s time to seize that opportunity.
