Members press OSTP on data center impacts, energy needs and AI workforce plans
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Summary
Lawmakers questioned OSTP Director Kratios about data center siting, energy and water impacts, incentives for liquid cooling, and the administration's AI education and workforce initiatives; Kratios pointed to private commitments and existing agency programs while urging Congress to fund sustainable pipelines.
Members across the committee raised local concerns about data centers and the energy required to run large AI infrastructure. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (McBride) said constituents worry data centers will strain Delaware’s energy and water supplies and asked whether the administration is incentivizing liquid cooling technologies; Kratios praised such technologies and said he would explore funding and coordination opportunities with agencies.
On energy and permitting, Kratios cited administration steps to enable behind‑the‑meter energy production and said the president has emphasized energy capacity as a priority for supporting AI build‑out. He also pointed to DOE priorities including small modular reactors and fusion research as part of a broader infrastructure push.
Several members pressed OSTP on AI literacy and workforce development. Kratios described the AI education task force (co‑chaired by the First Lady), the Presidential AI Challenge for students, and Department of Labor grants for AI skills training. He urged Congress to authorize and appropriate funding to sustain programs like NSF ATE, community college partnerships and apprenticeship scaling.
Members warned that proposed budget cuts to research and education could undercut long‑term leadership even while deployment is accelerated. Lawmakers asked OSTP to provide clearer guidance and durable funding plans to ensure educators and regional institutions have resources to deliver AI education.