September 9, 2025
Mr. Costa (for himself and Mr. Moore of Utah) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
To conduct a study on the impact of artificial intelligence and data center site growth on energy supply resources in the United States, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Unleashing Low-Cost Rural AI Act
.
Sec. 2. Study on impact of artificial intelligence and data center site growth on energy supply resources
(a) In general
The Secretary of Energy shall designate a National Laboratory to conduct a study on the impact of artificial intelligence and data center site growth on energy supply resources in the United States.
(b) Contents
The study under subsection (a) shall address the following:
(1)
Whether any updates to existing infrastructure are necessary to support the co-location of artificial intelligence and data center site development.
(2)
With respect to the co-location of artificial intelligence and data center sites, the feasability of using alternative sources of energy, such as hydroelectric dams, solar farms, wind farms, solar and wind battery storage sites, and carbon capture facilities, in addition to nuclear and geothermal sources of energy.
(3)
The impact of the co-location of artificial intelligence and data center sites on energy costs, energy supply, energy supply reliability, land-use, water-use, and cost to consumers.
(4)
Whether, and to what extent, there are deficiencies in energy supply resources.
(5)
The means to expedite any review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or to more expeditiously meet any permitting requirements to develop any artificial intelligence or data center sites, and any associated generation, transmission, and distribution assets.
(c) Prioritization
The study under subsection (a) shall prioritize the impact of artificial intelligence and data center site growth on energy supply resources in remote areas.
(d) Report
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a).
(e) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Artificial intelligence
The term artificial intelligence
has the meaning given such term in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401).
(2) Co-location
The term co-location
means, with respect to an artificial intelligence or data center site, placing such site upon a parcel of land that is owned and operated by a public utility.
(3) National Laboratory
The term National Laboratory
has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(4) Remote area
The term remote area
means an area for which the Economic Research Service of the Department of Agriculture has developed a frontier and remote area code.