Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJosh MarcusThursday 30 July 2026 01:59 BSTRelated: See protesters push back against AI data center in MorrisvilleThe Trump administration is pushing to accelerate AI data center construction, including plans to redevelop former nuclear enrichment sites like the Department of Energy’s Paducah Site in Kentucky.The Kentucky project, backed by over $100 billion in private investment, is projected to create 8,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs and will include a new two-gigawatt natural gas power plant.The administration aims to leverage federal assets and preempt state AI regulations, arguing these facilities will create jobs and help the U.S. win the AI race against competitors like China.Environmentalists and local leaders have raised concerns about these projects, citing a lack of community input, potential environmental impacts and the use of fossil fuels for power generation.Critics argue that the administration's push for fossil fuel-powered data centers exacerbates the mismatch between high AI energy demand and the availability of renewable energy, hindering climate crisis efforts.In fullTrump is turning old federal nuclear weapon sites into land for data centersMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in