Streamlined Permitting and Regulatory Support Are Critical to Maintain U.S. Leadership in AI and Energy Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 8, 2025 – INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, filed comments in response to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) on Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure on Department of Energy Lands, emphasizing the vital need for regulatory support and efficient permitting processes to facilitate the deployment of AI infrastructure.
“INCOMPAS commends the Department of Energy’s commitment to building an abundant, secure and resilient energy future for the nation,” said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. “As recently acknowledged by the Administration, increasing our domestic energy production is critical to winning the race for AI dominance. Now is the time to build out AI infrastructure, modernize our energy grid and deploy reliable broadband networks to ensure America’s continued leadership in these areas.”
In its filing, INCOMPAS highlighted several factors crucial for creating favorable environments for AI infrastructure development on DOE lands:
- Regulatory Environment: Favorable tax structures, including sales tax exemptions on equipment purchases and property tax incentives, are essential for maintaining competitive positions against global alternatives.
- Energy Access: Timely access to reliable, affordable energy is non-negotiable, with AI projected to increase data center power demand by 160% by 2030.
- Modernized Electrical Grid: Significant upgrades to transmission and distribution infrastructure are necessary to meet rising demand.
In addition, INCOMPAS emphasized that without substantial permitting reforms and the removal of bureaucratic hurdles, the U.S. risks falling behind international competitors.
“Achieving these goals will require federal, state and local governments to coordinate to systematically remove barriers to building AI networks and infrastructure,” said Christopher L. Shipley, executive director of Public Policy at INCOMPAS. “The inefficiencies of building this critical infrastructure under current regulatory and bureaucratic regimes has resulted in costly delays, and unpredictability, which disincentivize the capital investment needed to keep pace with China’s intensive and unbridled AI infrastructure deployments. When we remove unnecessary regulatory barriers and create efficient permitting pathways, communities gain economic benefits, our national security is strengthened and America maintains its competitive edge in crucial sectors.”
###
