In the 19th century, Cornelius Vanderbilt revolutionized America’s transportation and communication systems, wielding control over railroads and steamships to shape the nation’s economic landscape. Today, a new era of industrial titans is emerging—not in steel and steam, but in silicon and servers. The battleground has shifted to artificial intelligence (AI), where control over data centers and energy resources dictates the balance of power.AP News
Microsoft’s Nuclear Ambitions: Reviving Three Mile Island
In a move reminiscent of Vanderbilt’s audacious strategies, Microsoft has embarked on a bold venture to secure its AI future. The tech giant has signed a 20-year agreement to exclusively purchase 835 megawatts of power from the soon-to-be-recommissioned Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. This facility, infamous for the 1979 partial meltdown of its Unit 2 reactor, is slated to reopen in 2028 as the Crane Clean Energy Center, honoring the late energy executive Chris Crane. Constellation Energy plans to invest $1.6 billion in the plant’s revival, pending regulatory approval. Once operational, the plant will supply carbon-free energy to Microsoft’s data centers across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and Illinois. Reddit+10The Verge+10Wikipedia+10Wikipedia+4NPR+4The Verge+4Reuters+3Wikipedia+3WSJ+3
This unprecedented move marks the first recommissioning of a U.S. nuclear plant and underscores the immense energy demands of AI infrastructure. Microsoft’s strategy reflects a broader trend among tech companies seeking reliable, clean energy sources to power their expansive data centers.AP News+3WSJ+3Wikipedia+3
The Energy Arms Race: States Grapple with AI’s Power Hunger
As AI technologies proliferate, data centers have become voracious consumers of electricity, often rivaling the energy usage of entire cities. This surge has prompted states to reevaluate their energy policies and infrastructure investments.CalMattersAP News
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Texas has embraced its role as an energy powerhouse, leveraging deregulation and abundant natural resources to attract data center investments. The state provides 27% of America’s clean natural gas and 13% of total electricity generation, making it an attractive destination for energy-intensive industries. The Verge+8San Antonio Express-News+8AP News+8
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California, on the other hand, faces challenges with its high electricity rates—the highest in the continental U.S. Lawmakers are proposing legislation to prevent utility customers from bearing the costs of infrastructure built to support data centers. Measures include mandating energy-use transparency, setting efficiency standards, and creating specific rate structures for data centers. CalMattersBusiness Insider+2San Francisco Chronicle+2CalMatters+2
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New York is considering the “Sustainable Data Centers Act,” which would limit new data center constructions, mandate renewable energy use, and require annual resource consumption reports. The bill aims to align data center operations with the state’s ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Times Union
These legislative efforts reflect a growing recognition of the environmental and economic impacts of unchecked data center expansion.
Federal Initiatives: Balancing Innovation and Regulation
At the federal level, the Biden administration has taken steps to address the energy demands of AI infrastructure. In January 2025, President Biden signed an executive order directing federal agencies to identify sites for AI data centers and clean energy facilities. The order mandates that developers cover construction costs and ensure sufficient clean power generation, aiming to mitigate the impact on electricity prices for consumers. PBS+3AP News+3Business Insider+3Global Policy Watch
However, the federal approach faces challenges, including political opposition and the complexities of coordinating with state-level regulations. The tension between fostering technological innovation and safeguarding public resources continues to shape the national discourse on AI infrastructure.AP News
The New Industrialists: Who Will Lead the AI Era?
In this modern industrial revolution, control over AI infrastructure equates to economic and geopolitical influence. Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are investing heavily in energy resources to secure their dominance in the AI landscape. Their strategies echo Vanderbilt’s legacy—leveraging control over essential infrastructure to dictate the terms of progress.
Yet, the path forward requires a delicate balance. As states and the federal government grapple with the implications of AI’s energy consumption, the need for sustainable, equitable solutions becomes paramount. The winners in this space will not only be those who harness AI’s capabilities but also those who navigate the complex interplay of technology, energy, and policy with foresight and responsibility.
Note: This article draws upon recent developments in AI infrastructure and energy policy to explore the evolving dynamics of technological control and its societal implications.