Lawmakers press witnesses on energy and data center capacity needed for AI growth

Several members used the hearing to press witnesses on whether the United States has sufficient energy infrastructure to support large‑scale AI development and data center growth.

Samuel Hammond argued the distribution of computing resources and energy will proxy geopolitical power and said that expanding energy capacity is essential. In back‑and‑forth exchanges he noted China's recent additions to grid capacity and said U.S. additions have been roughly offset by retiring coal plants and adding renewables. Hammond said nuclear power and small modular reactors (SMRs) are options and that building new reactors will be a multiyear process.

Multiple members advocated for “all of the above” energy strategies—more fossil fuels, renewables and nuclear—to meet demand, citing data‑center and AI compute growth. Kinsey Fabrizio said data centers and AI development require reliable power and urged policy that enables growth without creating a patchwork of regulation. Dr. Turner Lee cautioned about environmental and local impacts and urged balancing grid modernization with community concerns.

Witnesses agreed on the need to modernize the grid and invest in energy capacity and efficiency, but they did not endorse a single energy source. No energy legislation was proposed or voted on at the hearing. Committee members indicated interest in future oversight and in aligning energy and industrial policies with AI infrastructure needs.