Central Wyoming News

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), delivered remarks today at a full committee hearing to examine the opportunities, risks, and challenges associated with growth in demand for electric power in the United States.

The hearing featured testimony from several industry experts: Mr. Benjamin G.S. Fowke III, Interim CEO and President of American Electric Power Company; Ms. Karen Onaran, President and CEO of Electricity Consumers Resources Council; Mr. Scott Gatzemeier, Corporate Vice President of Front End U.S. Expansion at Micron Technology; and Mr. Mark Mills, Executive Director of the National Center for Energy Analytics.

Senator Barrasso emphasized the growing demand for electricity in America, particularly due to data centers that support cloud computing, bitcoin mining, and artificial intelligence (AI). He highlighted concerns over grid reliability and criticized recent policies by President Biden's administration that he believes undermine energy security.

“The president’s opposition to coal, to natural gas, and even to hydropower – the fuels that generate 65 percent of our electricity – is a white flag,” Barrasso stated during his remarks. “It’s another act of surrender to China.”

Barrasso pointed out that data centers running AI consume massive amounts of electricity, predicting that their demand could double by 2030. He stressed that reliable electric power is crucial for maintaining competitiveness in AI development against China.

“Our grid already is strained,” he noted. “For years, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has raised alarm about grid reliability.” He further argued that premature retirement of coal and natural gas-fired power plants increases blackout risks.

Criticizing recent Environmental Protection Agency rules mandating closures of such plants, Barrasso said these facilities are essential for both reliability and affordability in electricity supply. He argued for a balanced approach incorporating nuclear, coal, natural gas, and hydropower alongside renewable sources like wind and solar.

“We need a reliable, steady, and balanced supply of electricity,” Barrasso stated. “With demand poised to surge, it only makes sense to keep our existing power plants operating while also building new generating capacity.”

He concluded by underscoring the strategic importance of energy policy in the broader context of global competition: “Much depends on how America capitalizes on the potential of artificial intelligence... We cannot win this – or any other – race with China if we are unwilling to use the very energy sources that China is going to exploit to the fullest.”

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