In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with award-winning journalist Jason Plautz of Politico’s E&E News Energywire to explore the growing tension between artificial intelligence, energy demand, and infrastructure readiness. Plautz breaks down how AI-driven data centers are reshaping the U.S. power grid—and what state and federal leaders are doing in response. The conversation covers legislative efforts in Texas and Georgia, the controversial idea of “kill switches” for data centers, and major federal moves like the Stargate project and DOE’s push to site data centers on federal lands. Plautz also unpacks the Trump administration’s AI and energy strategy, and highlights how tech companies could accelerate innovation in nuclear, geothermal, and other clean energy sources.

Main Topics Covered:

• Why AI is driving an unprecedented spike in electricity demand
• The strain data centers are placing on existing grid infrastructure
• How states like Texas and Georgia are responding with new legislation
• The feasibility and controversy around data center “kill switches”
• The Stargate project and the Trump administration’s AI-energy policy direction
• DOE’s plan to co-locate data centers and power sources on federal land

Key Quotes:

“Some of these [data centers] have been compared to like mini malls. If you imagine a site that big running computers, imagine how much power that's going to need.” — Jason Plautz

“AI or data center use could triple by 2030 in the U.S. Right now it accounts for about 4% of the nation's electricity use. It would account for 12%.... the equivalent of 53 million households just running data centers. — Jason Plautz

“Lawmakers have said is they don't want a situation where the grid is strained and you have an entire block of houses without power, and across the street is a data center that's still humming.” — Jason Plautz

“This is really an opportunity, I think, to leap forward in some of the energy technology that’s been sitting dormant—because all of a sudden, you have deep pockets and a lot of interest.” — Jason Plautz

“We're seeing a lot more concern about what would happen if there were to be a cyberattack on the grid. What would that mean—and how can we build the grid without making it more vulnerable?” — Jason Plautz

“This is an economic competitiveness issue as well as a national security issue—and it’s a race neither we nor Beijing want to lose.” — Frank Cilluffo

Relevant Links and Resources:

“Artificial Intelligence's Thirst for Power Demands Greater Focus on Cybersecurity of the Energy Sector” by Frank Cilluffo

https://www.powermag.com/artificial-intelligences-thirst-for-power-demands-greater-focus-on-cybersecurity-of-the-energy-sector/

"State lawmakers grapple with energy demand for data centers" by Jason Plautz https://www.eenews.net/articles/state-lawmakers-grapple-with-energy-demand-for-data-centers/

“Study finds headroom on the grid for data centers" by Jason Plautz https://www.eenews.net/articles/study-finds-headroom-on-the-grid-for-data-centers/

"Energy is AI’s barrier to entry. David Sacks knows it." by Jason Plautz https://www.eenews.net/articles/energy-is-ais-barrier-to-entry-david-sacks-knows-it/

"Chris Wright elaborates on DOE data center build-out, job cuts" by Jason Plautz https://www.eenews.net/articles/chris-wright-elaborates-on-doe-data-center-build-out-job-cuts/

Guest Bio: Jason Plautz is an award-winning journalist based in Denver, currently reporting for E&E News’ Energywire, where he covers electricity and the clean energy transition. He focuses on the intersection of environmental policy and politics, and his work has also appeared in Science, High Country News, and Ars Technica. A former reporter in Washington, D.C., Plautz was selected for the Scripps Fellowship in Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado and brings experience in reporting, editing, and audio production.