In the Headlines
July 24, 2025
Trump AI Push Runs Up Against Cost, Enviro Concerns
Law360
Energy regulatory attorney Willie Phillips was quoted in a Law360 article about President Donald Trump's push to expand infrastructure for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry and the resulting tensions surrounding energy costs, market regulation and environmental concerns. The article examined how the increase in energy demand fueled by the rapid growth of data centers has prompted both federal and state officials to reconsider regulatory processes and the potential impact on ratepayers. Mr. Phillips, the former chair and commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), observed that technology companies often seek out multiple jurisdictions to secure the best deals for data center projects but warned against moving too quickly with infrastructure development without considering the financial risks to consumers.
"Part of the reason why things are moving slower than many folks want, especially the developers, is because if you move too fast and you overinvest, or you have projects that never get completed, you run the risk of having consumers holding the buck. You have stranded assets. This is about affordability and making sure that you rightsize development," he said.
READ: Trump AI Push Runs Up Against Cost, Enviro Concerns (Subscription required)
"Part of the reason why things are moving slower than many folks want, especially the developers, is because if you move too fast and you overinvest, or you have projects that never get completed, you run the risk of having consumers holding the buck. You have stranded assets. This is about affordability and making sure that you rightsize development," he said.
READ: Trump AI Push Runs Up Against Cost, Enviro Concerns (Subscription required)