technology
Republicans allege foreign influence in local opposition to U.S. data centers while administration speeds project approvals
GOP lawmakers and administration officials are pointing to reports of foreign-directed campaigns against U.S. data centers. Federal regulators also acted this week on grid connections for large power users.
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Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration are embracing reports that foreign actors are behind some opposition to new data centers in the United States. The Hill reported that several GOP figures have cited recent OpenAI assessments indicating China and other countries are running influence campaigns to amplify local concerns over electricity costs and environmental effects.
) and Reps.
) and Bob Latta (R-Ohio) sent a letter in early June to the FBI and the co-chairs of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology requesting information on evidence that “strongly suggests” foreign influence campaigns. President Trump has supported faster data center construction, arguing that companies must be able to build without obstacles to compete with China in artificial intelligence development.
He has directed agencies to shorten environmental reviews and accelerate grid connections for the projects.
On Thursday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission directed regional grid operators to change interconnection processes for AI data centers and other large electricity users. The commission said the changes aim to speed approvals and lower costs.
Apple CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published Wednesday that the company will raise prices on its products to offset higher memory and storage chip costs.
“Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable,” Cook said. A new group called Guardrails Alliance launched Thursday to counter the pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future. ” Sen.
