Biden Executive Order Directs Federal Land Use for AI Data Centers
The Biden Administration issues an executive order to advance U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence infrastructure by leasing federal land for data centers and clean energy facilities.
The Biden Administration issues a new executive order aimed at advancing United States leadership in artificial intelligence infrastructure. This directive seeks to preserve American economic competitiveness, prevent reliance on foreign infrastructure, and promote domestic clean energy production to power AI development. The order builds upon previous administration actions, including the 2023 Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI and a 2024 AI National Security Memorandum.
The order specifically targets the construction and operation of frontier AI infrastructure on federal land by private-sector entities. It directs the Departments of Defense and Energy to each identify and lease at least three federal sites by the end of 2027 for frontier AI data centers and associated clean energy facilities. Furthermore, the Department of the Interior must identify suitable federal sites for additional clean energy facilities and establish at least five Priority Geothermal Zones for geothermal power generation.
To jumpstart this initiative, the Departments of Defense and Energy must launch competitive public solicitations for private-sector proposals by March 31, 2025. These solicitations require applicants to submit detailed plans and timelines for leasing federal land and building the necessary AI infrastructure. Additionally, the order mandates the creation of a joint list of ten high-priority federal sites that are highly conducive to hosting nuclear power capacities for AI data centers by December 31, 2035.