NE Washington News

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) appeared on CNBC’s Last Call to discuss the recent Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing. The hearing focused on meeting the energy demands of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, while ensuring an affordable and reliable electric grid.

Addressing the importance of reliable baseload energy for new technologies, Rodgers stated, “The hearing today highlighted how important reliable baseload energy is to new technologies, whether it is AI or other technologies. Today we were focusing on the massive data centers that are being built, massive amounts of data that’s being collected and stored, and that all requires reliable energy.”

Rodgers emphasized the need for increased energy production: “We need more energy, not less, but we continue to see policies from the administration that are shutting down energy ... their policies are making it harder.” She added that embracing artificial intelligence would necessitate a significant increase in energy supply: “If we are going to embrace artificial intelligence and everything it offers to us as a nation, it is going to require a lot more energy.”

On the subject of reliable energy, Rodgers elaborated on its significance: “Baseload means twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It means that we have to have reliable energy, and that’s so foundational to our lives. We all are dependent upon it.” She mentioned predictions indicating a need for at least double the current baseload capacity. Highlighting regional examples such as Georgia's Vogtle nuclear plant, she noted future requirements for electricity generation equivalent to five Vogtle plants.

Rodgers pointed out ongoing efforts by the Energy and Commerce Committee to streamline permitting processes for nuclear projects, hydropower initiatives, and natural gas pipelines. “Permitting is probably the number one barrier to doing anything in the United States of America,” she remarked.

Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) also commented on the competition with U.S. adversaries like China during the hearing. According to the International Energy Agency, AI, cryptocurrencies, and data centers currently account for about 2 percent of global energy demand—a figure expected to rise.

“Communication, new frameworks and long-term planning are vital to meeting the technology and energy needs of this decade and decades to come,” Duncan said.

Further details can be found in Chair Rodgers' opening remarks [here] and Subcommittee Chair Duncan’s opening remarks [here].

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