Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on energy permits and demand

AI and Energy Infrastructure - The American big tech companies are allocating $320 billion (USD) in capital expenditure (capex) for the next year, surpassing the combined capex of the automotive and manufacturing industries [1][4] - A kilowatt of power is more valuable today than ever before due to the energy demands of AI [1] - Capital is flowing towards regions with stranded gas, such as Pennsylvania (Bacan, Perian, Marcelus), to convert gas to electricity for data centers [2] - Converting gas to electricity and then to intelligence is the core process of an AI factory [3] - Fiber optic cable permitting faces less resistance compared to pipelines and transmission lines [3] - Collocation is becoming a strategic move for companies seeking electricity and permits [4] Regulatory and Permitting Environment - The previous administration aimed to accelerate permitting for energy projects, including coal mines, uranium mines, and gas pipelines [5] - The environmental assessment (EA) and environmental impact statement (EIS) processes were previously used to obstruct infrastructure development [5] - The Department of Interior set a goal to complete environmental assessments in 14 days and EIS in 28 days, significantly faster than the typical multi-year timeframe [6]