Burgum Advocates Coal Electricity for AI Production

During his confirmation hearing as Secretary of the Interior nominee, Doug Burgum emphasized the need for the U.S. to invest in clean coal and natural gas to meet rising electricity demands fueled by artificial intelligence (AI) and to enhance national security. He highlighted a current shortage of baseload power, which is critical for the operation of data centers, and stated that without it, the U.S. risks losing the AI arms race to China. Burgum's stance reflects a broader debate on energy policy, balancing the use of traditional fossil fuels with the urgency of transitioning to cleaner technologies. He proposed leveraging federal lands for coal development and expressed support for carbon capture technologies, despite acknowledging that such technologies are still in early stages. Additionally, Burgum criticized current federal incentives, arguing they disproportionately favor renewable sources over reliable baseload power. His comments are aligned with President-elect Trump's vision of positioning the U.S. as a leader in AI, which he claims is contingent on adequate energy supply.