A faster way to power AI ambitions: Make your own electricity

“Sen. Tom Cotton’s (R-Ark.) DATA Act of 2026 offers a consequential fix. It would exempt certain new electricity providers from the federal regulations that apply to the broader grid. The bill would clear a path for new, off-grid providers to move quickly to serve AI and data center demand.

By focusing on AI and data centers, as well as other large industrial loads, these new utilities and grids would serve large and sophisticated businesses that buy products and services from other parties all the time without regulatory oversight. For these customers, buying electricity should be no different. And with no physical connection to regulated utilities, these new utilities could serve new customers without impacting the cost or reliability of the existing grid.”

https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/5707456-data-act-reform-grid/