The Department of Energy has selected Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Reservation, Savannah River Site and Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant as the sites for artificial intelligence data centers and energy generation projects.
“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,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement published Thursday.
“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,” Wright added.
The department chose the sites by evaluating responses to its request for information in April.
DOE Solicitations for AI Data Center, Energy Generation Projects
DOE expects the solicitations to be released in the coming months, detailing the project scope, submission guidelines and eligibility requirements at each site. Private sector partners could be selected by the end of 2025.
The department said it is assessing additional sites that could release solicitations in the future.
Use of Federal Lands for AI Data Centers
The latest DOE announcement supports the Trump administration’s goals of using federal lands for data center and power generation infrastructure projects.
President Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order directing the departments of the interior, energy and defense to authorize data center construction on appropriate federal lands.
Under the EO, the current administration requires agencies to streamline environmental reviews and the permitting process for data centers by leveraging existing exemptions and developing new ones to speed up the construction of qualifying projects.
The order also promotes the use of Brownfield and Superfund sites for data center development and includes the launch of an initiative to provide loans, tax incentives, grants and other financial support for qualifying projects.
