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Idaho National Laboratory is redistributing this news release on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.
"Nuclear energy is essential to power AI, and AI is crucial to accelerate the pace and economics of nuclear deployment and operations," said Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner. "As the Department of Energy's nuclear laboratory with an 890-square-mile site that also includes outstanding geothermal energy characteristics, we are pleased to have been selected as one of four sites to move forward with plans to invite private sector partners to develop cutting-edge AI data center and energy generation projects.
WASHINGTON– The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the next steps in the Trump administration’s plan to accelerate the development of AI infrastructure through siting on DOE lands. DOE has selected four sites—Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Reservation, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and Savannah River Site—to move forward with plans to invite private sector partners to develop cutting edge AI data center and energy generation projects.
Today’s announcement supports the Trump administration’s goals of utilizing Federal lands to lower energy costs and help power the global AI race, as outlined in President Trump’s Executive Orders on Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure, Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security, and Unleashing American Energy.
"By leveraging DOE land assets for the deployment of AI and energy infrastructure, we are taking a bold step to accelerate the next Manhattan Project—ensuring U.S. AI and energy leadership,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “These sites are uniquely positioned to host data centers as well as power generation to bolster grid reliability, strengthen our national security, and reduce energy costs.”
DOE received enormous interest in response to its April request for information (RFI) that helped inform the selection of these sites. The chosen locations are well-situated for large-scale data centers, new power generation, and other necessary infrastructure.
DOE looks forward to working with data center developers, energy companies, and the broader public in consultation with states, local governments, and federally recognized tribes that these projects will serve to further advance this important initiative. More details regarding project scope, eligibility requirements, and submission guidelines at each site will be available with the site-specific releases. These solicitations are expected to be released in the coming months and partners could be selected by the end of the year. DOE is also evaluating additional sites that could issue solicitations in the future.
About Idaho National Laboratory
Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development, and also performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit . Follow us on social media: , , and .
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