A group dedicated to empowering the nation’s thriving data center industry is trying to preserve clean energy subsidies that are not currently in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was approved in the House late last month.
In a letter sent to South Dakota Republican John Thune, who is also the Senate Majority Leader, the Data Center Coalition is asking for what it calls “thoughtful and targeted changes” to the legislation.
The coalition counts among its members Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft.
“We urge you to take a pragmatic approach to ensure we can meet the energy needs of data centers at a pivotal moment for our industry and country,” the association wrote.
At issue are the tax credits and loan funding that have previously been in place to support wind and solar power. Those credits may be endangered due to a White House emphasis on coal and natural gas development.
As demand for data center services continues to rise, said the letter, timely access to affordable and reliable power will prove a determinative factor.
In keeping tax credits in place, continued the correspondence, “the U.S. can maintain its leadership in AI, while simultaneously committing to long-term fiscal responsibility.”
How and where the data center industry gets its power has become a matter of increasing concern, as seen in a report released by the Department of Energy late last year estimating that demand in the industry could increase to 12% of total electricity use by 2028.
That 12% would represent nearly a tripling of where things are today. Other estimates, according to the publication E&E News, “have put overall U.S. electricity demand as rising by as much as 25% by 2030.”
Whether the Senate will be able to re-insert the credits for clean energy projects is currently unknown, although leaders in both parties are reported to be receptive to the idea.
June 11, 2025
By Garry Boulard
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
