Trump Administration Is Repurposing Federal Land for A.I. Data Centers

29 July 2026 at 20:46

In the latest example, the Energy Department will convert a shuttered Cold War-era uranium enrichment facility into a data center campus and gas plants.

President Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright during a White House event last week in which 200 companies vowed to prevent A.I. data centers from driving up power costs.

Trump Administration Is Repurposing Federal Land for A.I. Data Centers

NYT - Science

By: Brad Plumer

29 July 2026 at 20:46

In the latest example, the Energy Department will convert a shuttered Cold War-era uranium enrichment facility into a data center campus and gas plants.

Queensland and NT reject Labor’s push to ensure that power-hungry AI datacentres use renewable energy

The Guardian - Energy

By: Josh Butler

29 July 2026 at 04:19

Federal-state stoush comes as rating agency warns that electricity bills could skyrocket

Queensland and the Northern Territory have rejected the federal government’s plans to mandate that AI datacentres use renewable power, rubbishing Anthony Albanese’s proposals to regulate the booming technology as “underdeveloped ideas that hand increased power to Canberra”.

The latest federal-state stoush on energy comes as S&P Global, the economic rating agency, warns that power use from datacentres could rise five-fold by 2035 to 10% of Australia’s total consumption, and that a mismatch between delivery timelines for datacentres and renewable projects could lead to energy bills skyrocketing.

Locals fear for their children’s quality of life if the biggest coalmine extension in NSW is approved

The Guardian - Energy

By: Lisa Cox Climate and environment correspondent

25 July 2026 at 21:00

Minns government promised no new coalmines but permits expanding existing sites, despite being behind on climate targets

At Branxton community hall in the New South Wales Hunter Valley last week, local resident Janet Murray was given five minutes to speak about plans for the state’s biggest coalmine extension.

Before her were dozens of people, also there to share their views about whether the 19-year extension proposed by Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) should be allowed to proceed.

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