Policy / Opening up
United States (federal)
Federal policy is pushing to speed up data centre permitting and large-load grid connection.
A July 2025 executive order directs agencies to speed federal permitting for large data centre projects, and the Department of Energy is offering federal land for AI data centres. In June 2026 the federal energy regulator ordered all six regional grid operators to justify or reform how large loads such as data centres connect. This entry covers federal measures only: siting, retail power rules and tax treatment are set largely by states and differ widely.
Power and grid
FERC has also required PJM to set transparent rules for loads paired with generation and approved the Southwest Power Pool expedited large-load process; rules still vary by grid region.
The rules and programmes
| Instrument | Kind | Status | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Order 14318, Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure | Policy | in force from 23 July 2025 | Covers projects above $500 million, above 100MW of new load or designated by a secretary; directs new environmental-review exclusions, federal land access and financial support. |
| DOE federal sites for AI data centres | Programme | in force from 24 July 2025 | Four sites named (Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Paducah, Savannah River) for private partners to build data centres and generation. |
| FERC show cause orders on large load interconnection | Grid | consultation from 18 June 2026 | Orders to all six regional grid operators with a 60-day deadline to defend or reform tariffs; the outcome of those responses was not verified. |
Checked against the primary sources linked above on 2 October 2026. Due for review by 1 January 2027. This is a summary, not legal advice. If something is out of date, tell us.