Do data centers need energy infrastructure permitting?

As the size of a data center increases, it could be that its associated energy infrastructure will require some kind of existing federal approval. Thus, under the status quo, the significance of energy infrastructure permitting for data center development is determined on a case-by-case basis.

What is a data center energy project?

Data center energy projects may include new natural gas-fired generation or fuel cells, either of which may require new natural gas pipelines to supply the fuel. 58 Constructing new service pipeline connections to local natural gas distribution systems generally falls under state jurisdiction.

How much electricity does a data center need?

The growth of data centers—and their associated electricity demand—suggest that significant additional generation will be required to power them. A 2024 Department of Energy study projected that data center electricity consumption would rise from 176 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2023 to between 325 and 580 TWh by 2028.

What generation technologies are used in data centers?

Generation technologies being deployed for data centers span fossil fuel-fired thermal power plants (e.g., natural gas turbines), renewable generation (e.g., wind, solar, geothermal), nuclear power, fuel cells, and other types of generation.