ICYMI: INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering Testifies Energy & Commerce Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 9, 2025 – INCOMPAS, CEO Chip Pickering testified at the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology on “AI in the Everyday: Current Applications and Future Frontiers in Communications and Technology.” Here are a few clips from the hearing where Pickering discusses the importance of a federal framework on AI rather than a patchwork of state regulations, why permitting reform is key to the future of America’s global AI competitiveness and encouraging that the time is now to build the infrastructure of a new age to bring back American manufacturing and benefits to the economy, healthcare and workforce. To watch the full hearing, click here.
Pickering’s opening remarks in the Communications and Technology Subcommittee on “AI in the Everyday: Current Applications and Future Frontiers in Communications and Technology.”Clarifying the AI moratorium, Pickering disputed three key assertions that the moratorium: violates budget rules, prevents consumer protection enforcement, and is a “big tech giveaway.” Stating that small startups suffer most under a patchwork of state regulations, while large companies can afford compliance across multiple jurisdictions, Pickering further emphasized that the moratorium creates a predictable national framework that encourages competition and innovation.Pickering acknowledged the threat of America falling behind China in the development of energy infrastructure. Outlining urgent energy solutions needed for AI data centers: behind-the-meter dedicated power to avoid overtaxing the residential grid, streamlined permitting for multi-state pipeline construction, and accelerated deployment of small modular nuclear reactors and fusion technology. When asked about China’s barriers to AI deployment, Pickering stated that “China does not have barriers or the impediments that we do,” underscoring the competitive urgency facing the United States in the AI energy race.Pickering identified permitting reform as a top priority for his members. He explained that current permitting obstacles prevent the construction of AI connectors and corridors of long fiber routes needed to link urban data centers with rural areas. Pickering argued that while these extensive fiber deployments may not be economical under existing regulations, streamlined permitting combined with BEAD funding eligibility could unlock rural AI infrastructure development.Pickering described how railroad crossings create major bottlenecks for fiber deployment and warned that current delays give competitive advantages to countries like China, while American communities wait for high-speed Internet access. With no regulatory oversight from either the FCC or Federal Rail Administration, rail companies can impose 18-month delays and fees up to $40,000 per crossing on broadband providers.INCOMPAS recommends that as we are building AI infrastructure, we complement it with workforce training to ensure the transformational benefits of AI is not jeopardized. Starting from K-12 to universities and the retraining of the adult workforce.
