The United States is on the brink of a dramatic transformation in how its most power-hungry industries—artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and Bitcoin mining operations—connect to the nation’s electrical grid. On October 23, 2025, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright sent a formal letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), urging the agency to adopt new rules that could cut grid connection wait times for these facilities from years to just 60 days. The move, announced by the Department of Energy and widely reported by outlets such as The Register and Brave New Coin, could fundamentally reshape the landscape for American technology infrastructure.
Wright’s proposal, which outlines 13 key principles for large-load interconnections, is designed to help facilities requiring more than 20 megawatts of power—enough to supply thousands of homes—plug directly into high-voltage transmission lines. Under the plan, companies would pay for any necessary network upgrades out of their own pockets, but in exchange, they’d be able to bypass the current multi-year approval process and get connected in just two months. Wright’s letter insists this falls squarely within FERC’s legal authority and serves the public interest, giving the commission until April 30, 2026, to respond.
Why the rush? According to data cited by Brave New Coin, America’s electricity demand is surging at a pace unseen in two decades. In 2023, data centers consumed about 4.4% of the nation’s total electricity, a figure expected to rise to between 6.7% and 12% by 2028. The numbers are eye-popping: total data center usage leapt from 58 terawatt-hours in 2014 to 176 terawatt-hours in 2023, with projections ranging from 325 to 580 terawatt-hours by 2028—driven largely by the AI boom.
“To usher in a new era of American prosperity, we must ensure all Americans and domestic industries have access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity,” Wright wrote in his letter, as quoted by The Register. “Large loads, including AI data centers, served by public utilities must be able to connect to the transmission system in a timely, orderly, and non-discriminatory manner. This is an urgent issue that requires prompt attention.”
President Trump’s administration has made no secret of its support for both the AI and cryptocurrency sectors. In 2025, it launched the Stargate initiative to boost AI infrastructure and signed an executive order supporting digital assets and blockchain technology. The administration’s “America First” economic approach includes a push for all remaining Bitcoin to be “mined, minted and made in the USA,” seeing mining as both an economic opportunity and a way to monetize surplus power while supporting grid stability.
The stakes are particularly high for Bitcoin miners. These operations are notorious for their massive energy consumption, needed to power the computers that validate transactions and secure the blockchain network. U.S. miners currently control over 5 gigawatts of power capacity, with another 6 gigawatts under development. The April 2024 “halving” event slashed mining rewards, pushing many companies to diversify by hosting AI computing alongside their mining activities. As S. Matthew Schultz, CEO of CleanSpark, told Brave New Coin, the proposal is “a major signal” that the Department of Energy recognizes the value of flexible power users who can help balance the grid during peak demand.
The proposal has already sent ripples through the business world. Core Scientific, a major mining company, saw its stock price soar 272% after securing contracts with AI infrastructure provider CoreWeave. Meanwhile, Nebius, another AI infrastructure firm, has seen its stock skyrocket by 350% in 2025, thanks to deals with tech giants like Microsoft and Uber, according to The Register.
But not everyone is cheering. Environmental groups have sounded the alarm about the carbon footprint of fast-tracking energy-intensive operations. Camden Weber from the Center for Biological Diversity criticized FERC for potentially “rubber-stamping connections in just 60 days,” arguing that such speed could come at the expense of thorough environmental reviews. Weber’s concerns are echoed by other environmentalists, who see the administration’s focus on fossil fuels and nuclear energy as a step backward for climate policy.
Consumer advocates have also raised red flags. With data centers already driving up electricity prices in some regions, there’s worry that giving these facilities priority access could push regular customers’ bills even higher to cover grid upgrades. And some policymakers question whether FERC actually has the legal authority to regulate large load connections in this way, since such matters have traditionally been handled at the state level.
Industry groups, however, are mostly supportive. The Edison Electric Institute, which represents publicly-traded electric utilities, has endorsed the initiative, highlighting its potential to strengthen the grid and lower costs for consumers. Malcolm Woolf, president and CEO of the National Hydropower Association, praised parallel efforts to streamline permitting for hydroelectric projects, saying, “We must prevent unnecessary barriers from federal resource agencies that could hinder hydropower development.”
Wright’s proposal is part of a broader strategy to ensure that U.S. energy infrastructure can keep up with the demands of the digital age. The Department of Energy is not only seeking to accelerate grid connections for data centers and miners but also to diversify energy sources. By urging FERC to ease the permitting process for hydroelectric projects, the administration aims to increase the share of renewables in the national energy mix—even as it doubles down on fossil fuels and nuclear power to meet immediate capacity needs.
At the heart of the debate is FERC itself, an independent agency within the Department of Energy. While Wright can propose rules, it’s up to FERC to accept or reject them. As of October 2025, the commission has a 3-2 Republican majority, a composition that may favor the business-friendly approach championed by the Trump administration. Still, FERC’s independence means its decisions are closely watched by both industry and environmental groups.
The competition for grid access is only expected to intensify. By 2030, U.S. power demand from data centers could hit 84 gigawatts—up from about 4 gigawatts in 2024—according to projections cited by Brave New Coin. JPMorgan analysts have warned Bitcoin miners that they have just nine months to secure deals with AI companies before the window closes, as those who can offer immediate power capacity will have an edge over projects still stuck in the approval queue.
As FERC deliberates on Wright’s proposals, the outcome will have far-reaching consequences for America’s position in the global tech race. Will the grid keep pace with AI and crypto innovation, or will bottlenecks stifle growth? The coming months will reveal whether the balance tips toward rapid development or environmental caution, and whether the U.S. can maintain its edge as a digital powerhouse in an increasingly electrified world.
The path FERC chooses will chart the future of American energy, innovation, and environmental responsibility—one high-voltage decision at a time.
