As the data center boom grows across the country, including in Oklahoma and adjacent states, the industry is pushing for more help from the government in order to ensure there is available electrical power.
The industry’s group, called the Data Center Coalition, is asking Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to continue with rules covering subsidies for wind and solar energy. The group’s members include Google, Amazon and Microsoft.
Google just announced plans last week to spend $9 billion in Oklahoma on an expansion of its data center in Pryor and the construction of a new center in Stillwater.
According to Reuters, the group sent a letter to Bessent stating “any regulatory friction which slows down today’s deployment of new generation directly impacts on our ability to meet AI era electricity demand tomorrow.” The industry group also tried to make the argument that the continued subsidies for wind and solar operations will help keep the industry ahead of China’s competition.
The Coalition tried to shore up its argument by pointing out that between 2017 and 2023, the industry contributed $3.5 trillion in gross domestic product to the U.S. and employed directly more than 600,000 workers.
The industry also contends any restriction or reduction in federal tax credits on clean energy would slow the development of new power generation.
But this week, the U.S. Agriculture Secretary announced an end to subsidies for solar farms that might be built on producing farmland.
(source: Reuters)
