The Trump administration is dismantling the energy efficiency programs designed to keep data center demand in check. (E&E News)
Roll the tape: DOE has shuttered its efficiency office, rolled back appliance standards, and moved to eliminate the Weatherization Assistance Program, while EPA weighs the future of Energy Star and tax credits for home efficiency upgrades.
The timing: Commercial and industrial power prices are already 6–7% higher than last year, and efficiency gains—a strategy that’s historically enjoyed bipartisan support—remain the cheapest way to blunt AI-driven load growth.