Story perspectives

FERC Accelerates AI Data Centers; Bill Mandates Upgrade Funding

6/22/2026

Summary

FERC Fast-Tracks AI

FERC approved Thursday orders to fast-track AI data-center grid connections, mandating 90-day interconnection and shifting upgrade costs to developers.
Gallup poll shows 70% of Americans oppose local AI data-center construction, with at least 75 projects worth $130 billion stalled in early 2026.
Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) introduced a bill requiring large data centers to fund energy and grid upgrades.

Summary

Justice Dept. Protects

Justice Department wants 57 xAI turbines to stay operating for national-security reasons.
Southaven turbines have raised NOx 111 %, particulates 83 % and formaldehyde 88 % since April.
NAACP says turbines could emit over 5,000 tons of nitrogen oxides annually.
The Department of Energy (DOE) will provide up to $500 million—$425 million for coal-plant upgrades and $75 million for West Gateway terminal—and supports coal plants in Anchorage, Alaska and Mt. Storm, West Virginia, the first built since 2013.

Summary

Redwood Materials Powers AI

Redwood Materials' site in Nevada operates a 12 MW microgrid of EV batteries that powers Crusoe's 2,000-GPU AI data center.
The microgrid processes over 20 GWh annually—about 250,000 EVs and 90 % of North American lithium-ion recycling—and uses packs that retain 50-80 % capacity for revenue-generating stationary storage.
Automakers view the Nevada model as a way to monetize retired batteries for AI compute, giving sites quick local power while not easing U.S. grid strain.

History

Historical Context

President Barack Obama signed the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which earmarked $27.2 billion for energy projects such as $6 billion in renewable-energy and transmission loan guarantees. In 2020 FERC issued Order 2222 to let distributed resources compete, a step echoed today in AI-driven interconnection orders. Lawmakers like Rep. Kathy Castor and Rep. Gabe Evans are pushing new grid-upgrade funding.

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FERC Fast-Tracks AI

FERC approved Thursday orders to fast-track AI data-center grid connections, mandating 90-day interconnection and shifting upgrade costs to developers.
Gallup poll shows 70% of Americans oppose local AI data-center construction, with at least 75 projects worth $130 billion stalled in early 2026.
Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) introduced a bill requiring large data centers to fund energy and grid upgrades.

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