President Donald Trump wants the Senate to move on energy legislation, and he's making his case the way he often does: with a warning about China.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump called for approval of the American Affordability and Jobs Act, identified as S. 5653. He described the measure as a "BIG WIN" for U.S. energy independence and dominance, saying permitting reforms would let pipelines, mines and power plants get built faster.
The president said the legislation would also codify his "ratepayer protection pledge," which would require data centers to pay for their own electricity and invest in surrounding communities. He urged Americans to contact their senators and back the bill, warning that China could attract data centers rejected by the United States.
Trump's Energy Agenda
The proposal fits into a broader Trump energy agenda that has emphasized fossil fuel production and quicker approvals. After returning to the White House, he declared a national energy emergency and promoted "drill, baby, drill."
In September, Trump urged oil executives to expand U.S. refining capacity to lower fuel prices amid Iran war disruptions. But building refineries would cost billions of dollars and take years, making the proposal a tough sell for companies with limited financial incentives and shareholder obligations. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan said oil producers have little reason to prioritize lower gasoline prices.
Democratic Takeover Threatens Data Center Plans
The electricity demand from AI data centers has also become a bipartisan policy concern. In September, the House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act by a 417-3 vote.
According to a Department of Energy-backed report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, data centers accounted for 4.4% of U.S. electricity consumption in 2023, a share that could rise to as much as 12% by 2028.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) highlighted that the bill covers nonresidential data centers with peak demand of at least 100 megawatts at a single facility, but leaves states free to adopt or reject the proposed federal standards.
Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein echoed Trump and warned that widespread opposition to data center projects is "a gift to China." His comments come as technology analyst Dan Ives estimates that a Democratic takeover of Congress could derail 10% of planned U.S. data center projects, slowing the AI infrastructure buildout.
