By Paul Strommen
District 47 Senator
Earlier this month, President Trump called technology leaders from across the country to rally around one goal: ensuring American dominance in the global artificial intelligence (AI) race. Winning this innovation race is more than just a point of pride for our country; it is a genuine national security concern and equally important to the industries and businesses in Nebraska and beyond that have come to rely on these cutting-edge resources. In this moment, states that recognize the critical importance of advancing innovation and have the infrastructure needed to do so are set to play a leading role in this global race, and Nebraska is at the front of the pack.
Central to winning the AI race is one key asset in which Nebraska is rich: energy. AI relies on a network of data centers and other infrastructure that depend on access to a robust and reliable grid. Fortunately, Nebraska’s diverse energy grid, powered by fossil fuels and a growing biofuels sector, has helped to keep a steady supply of the low-cost, reliable energy needed to fulfill Nebraskans’ needs while leaving the door open to industry investment.
In Nebraska, we understand that pro-growth leadership drives investments that transform our local economies. Thanks to leaders that support our all-of-the-above energy mix, we have maintained competitive energy rates that encourage prolonged investment in places like rural and western Nebraska, a trend we hope serves as an example for other states going forward.
At a time when the overall state GDP is at risk of slipping, leading tech companies are making historic investments in our state, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, and creating new high-quality opportunities for our state’s residents. Jobs are being created all up and down the logistics and construction supply chains, as well as permanent positions in operations. Meanwhile, new tax revenues and local investment are paving our roads, funding our schools, and improving our infrastructure.
We’ve built a promising foundation for a new tech-led economic boom in the Cornhusker State, and slowing down now would be ill-advised. Governor Pillen has been wise to align his efforts with the broader energy goals of the president and Congress and has helped make Nebraska a role model for others to follow. Unfortunately, a concerning new trend has emerged: blaming a national rise in energy prices on the data center industry despite them only representing a fraction of the overall growth demand. This unjustified hostility has led to moratoriums and other obstacles that risk pushing away investment, growth, and the secure and local storage of critical data to other states, or, worse yet, other countries.
As energy demand rises for the first time in decades due to the increased electrification of homes and businesses and the power needs of growing industries, Nebraska should double-down on its role as a global energy leader. Unlike much of the country, we have an opportunity to leverage new industry investments to modernize infrastructure and ensure energy remains not only reliable but affordable. By continuing to embrace our all-of-the-above approach, we can strengthen the energy backbone needed to power prosperity in our state while helping secure U.S. leadership in one of the most pivotal technologies of our lifetimes.
The stakes are high – I hope the governor and my colleagues in the state legislature will join me in keeping Nebraska open for business while supporting the policies needed to supply their energy needs.