WATCH: Lawmakers express views on Trump’s data center initiative
Democratic lawmakers have indicated to Fox News Digital their desire for stricter regulations regarding data centers, while some Republicans have raised concerns about their effects on local communities.
Most people don’t really think about digital infrastructure. It’s just always there, you know? We carry powerful devices in our pockets, expect to access our bank information, medical records, flight schedules, and pretty much everything instantly. It’s so easy to overlook the vast physical framework that supports all this connectivity.
I remember how both of us recognized the importance of information long before we worked in critical infrastructure. Kirk gained his understanding aboard U.S. Navy nuclear submarines, while Mike learned it much later on battlefields during the Global War on Terror. Different missions, yes, but the takeaway was similar: having the right information at the right time can literally save lives. It’s all about knowing where your people are, being aware of your surroundings, and acting quickly on trusted information, often faster than your adversaries. That can make or break a mission.
This lesson is relevant to the challenges America faces today. The competition for artificial intelligence isn’t just about creating the best software; it’s also about who gets to build the necessary power generation, transmission systems, data centers, and workforce. If we neglect this aspect, no amount of innovation will help.
America needs to rebuild
For many years, one of America’s significant strengths was its knack for turning innovation into tangible capability. We constructed highways, ports, power facilities, factories, and communication networks that both propelled economic growth and bolstered national security.
And here we are at another pivotal point, though we seem to be dragging our feet. Permitting delays, grid limitations, and supply-chain issues are hindering the expansion of new power and transmission—just when AI and advanced computing are creating a huge surge in electricity demand.
China is quite aware of this and is aggressively enhancing its power generation and computational capacity. They understand that maintaining technological leadership requires substantial physical infrastructure. While there’s a debate in Washington over AI governance, our international competitors are ensuring they have what they need to deploy their technologies.
This perspective calls for a shift in how we view data centers. They aren’t just large warehouses filled with servers; they’re part of what’s referred to as the Fifth Utility. This encompasses the interconnected resources—compute, power, fiber, and digital infrastructure—that supports various sectors like banking, healthcare, transportation, and national defense.
However, communities must be allowed to engage critically with these developments. Residents need to understand how these projects will impact local resources like power, water, land, and infrastructure. Developers should answer these concerns proactively and invest meaningfully in the communities where they operate.
It’s possible, even essential, to protect local communities and ratepayers while still advancing the necessary infrastructure. We really have to do both.
Similarly, regarding our workforce, we can’t forget that data centers and power plants can’t just spring up on their own. There’s a significant need for skilled workers—electricians, welders, line workers, and professionals capable of operating and maintaining these facilities. Interestingly, about 200,000 people transition from military service each year, many of whom possess the qualities that this industry critically needs, such as discipline and adaptability.
Creating better pathways for military veterans into critical infrastructure careers should be a national priority, not just a workforce initiative.
In our military careers, we consistently recognized that information superiority is meaningless without the right people and systems to deliver it effectively. While technology has changed dramatically, the core principle remains the same.
America still possesses the financial resources, energy, technology, and talent required to lead in this digital era. However, we cannot take for granted that these advantages will endure while we take years to construct what our competitors are already advancing now.
The digital realm might feel invisible, but the infrastructure behind it is quite tangible—it requires energy, connections, skilled labor, and materials.
If America aims to spearhead the digital age, we must begin building with urgency.
