US Energy Secretary Pushes for Faster Power Grid Access for AI and Bitcoin Miners

Energy Secretary Chris Wright sent a formal letter to federal regulators on October 23, 2025, asking them to create new rules that could cut connection times from years down to just 60 days.

This move could reshape how energy-hungry tech companies access electricity across America. The proposal comes as both AI and cryptocurrency mining operations compete for limited power resources, with demand growing at the fastest pace in two decades.

What the Proposal Actually Does

Wright’s letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) calls for standardized procedures that let large electricity users plug directly into high-voltage transmission lines. These are facilities that need more than 20 megawatts of power – enough to run thousands of homes.

The plan includes 13 key principles for how these connections should work. Companies applying for grid access would need to pay for any network upgrades themselves. In exchange, they could get approval in just 60 days instead of waiting years in the current system.

Source: @smatthewschultz

Wright argues this falls under FERC’s legal authority and serves the public interest. He told regulators they have until April 30, 2026, to respond to his proposal.

Why This Matters Now

America’s electricity demand is exploding. Data centers consumed about 4.4% of total US electricity in 2023. By 2028, that number could jump to between 6.7% and 12% of all American power use.

The numbers are staggering. Total data center electricity usage went from 58 terawatt-hours in 2014 to 176 terawatt-hours in 2023. Experts estimate this will reach between 325 to 580 terawatt-hours by 2028 – a massive increase driven primarily by artificial intelligence.

Wright wrote that US electricity demand is “expected to grow at an extraordinary pace” due to large facilities connecting to the grid. While home charging for electric vehicles and other factors play a role, data centers represent the biggest surge.

Current rules create bottlenecks. Companies face multi-year waits to connect, and “phantom” data centers – speculative projects that may never happen – clog up the approval queue. This makes it harder for legitimate projects to move forward.

How Bitcoin Miners Could Benefit

Bitcoin mining operations could be major winners if these rules pass. Mining requires enormous amounts of electricity to run the computers that validate transactions and secure the blockchain network.

S. Matthew Schultz, CEO of mining company CleanSpark, called the proposal “a major signal” that the Department of Energy recognizes how flexible power users can strengthen the grid. Mining operations can scale their electricity use up or down quickly, helping balance the grid during peak demand times.

US Bitcoin miners currently control over 5 gigawatts of power capacity, with another 6 gigawatts under development. The ability to connect directly to transmission lines could help them access cheaper electricity in areas with abundant renewable energy.

Mining companies face increasing pressure after Bitcoin’s April 2024 “halving” event cut their rewards in half. Many are now pivoting toward hosting AI computing alongside their mining operations to diversify revenue.

The Trump Administration’s Crypto Push

This proposal fits into a broader pro-cryptocurrency strategy from President Trump’s administration. Trump has repeatedly said he wants all remaining Bitcoin “mined, minted and made in the USA” as part of an “America First” economic approach.

In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order supporting digital assets and blockchain technology. The order established a working group to develop regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies and protect Americans’ right to participate in mining activities.

The administration views Bitcoin mining as both an economic opportunity and a way to monetize surplus power while supporting grid stability. This latest grid access proposal continues that theme by making it easier for miners to operate at scale.

Concerns and Pushback

Not everyone supports the plan. Environmental groups worry about carbon emissions from energy-intensive operations getting easier grid access. Camden Weber from the Center for Biological Diversity criticized FERC for potentially “rubber-stamping connections in just 60 days.”

Some policymakers question whether FERC actually has the legal authority to regulate large load connections this way. The commission hasn’t traditionally controlled how big electricity users connect to the grid – that’s usually a state-level issue.

Consumer advocates also worry about electricity prices. Data centers are already driving up power costs in some regions. If these facilities get priority access, regular customers might face higher bills to pay for grid upgrades.

There are also practical concerns. Can the system really process applications in 60 days while ensuring safety and reliability? Critics say rushing approvals could create problems down the road.

A Battle for Power Resources

The competition between AI companies and Bitcoin miners for electricity access is intensifying. Both industries need massive amounts of power to operate. Both want to locate near cheap, clean energy sources.

JPMorgan analysts recently said Bitcoin miners have about nine months to secure deals with AI companies before the window closes. Miners who can offer immediate power capacity have an advantage over planned data centers still waiting for grid connections.

Some mining companies are already winning. Core Scientific saw its stock price jump 272% after securing contracts with AI infrastructure provider CoreWeave. The company positioned itself as a data center operator years ago, which now pays off.

The stakes are high. By 2030, US power demand from data centers could reach 84 gigawatts – up from about 4 gigawatts in 2024. The question is whether the grid can handle this growth and who gets access first.

The Road Ahead

Wright’s proposal sets a six-month deadline for FERC to respond. If approved, the new rules could fundamentally change how large power users connect to America’s electrical grid.

FERC commissioners have expressed different opinions on these issues in closed-door discussions. The commission now has a 3-2 Republican majority after the Senate confirmed two new commissioners in October 2025, which may favor the proposal’s business-friendly approach.

Whatever FERC decides will help determine whether America can maintain its edge in AI technology and cryptocurrency mining – or whether electrical grid limitations become a bottleneck for innovation.