The U.S. is heading into a major wave of growth, driven by artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and the massive computing power behind it all. But there's one catch — we need a lot more electricity to make it happen. This moment isn’t just about faster tech — it’s about whether America can build the backbone needed to support it: energy, talent, and modern infrastructure. ### **1. AI is Driving Energy Demand Up — Fast** AI is set to supercharge the U.S. economy, but only if we can power it. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) expects an additional 128 gigawatts of power demand by 2030 — a tripling of prior projections. This growth, driven largely by data centers and onshoring manufacturing, means we’ll need to invest nearly twice as much in the electricity sector over the next five years compared to the last. ### **2. We're Getting More Efficient — But Still Need More Power** AI systems are becoming more energy-efficient — Google’s newest TPUs are 30x more efficient than their 2018 versions, and its data centers deliver 4x more compute per unit of power. Yet even with these advances, power demand will rise. Unlocking AI’s full potential means scaling energy supply from clean, reliable sources like advanced nuclear, geothermal, and natural gas with carbon capture. ### **3. We Need More Electricians — A Lot More** Electricians are the unsung heroes of this transition. Yet the U.S. faces a shortage: 10,000 retire or leave the trade yearly, while only 7,000 new entrants replace them. By 2030, we’ll need 130,000 more electricians. Programs like Google’s partnership with the Electrical Training Alliance aim to boost training by 70%, but widespread government, business, and educational collaboration is essential. ### **So What?** AI won’t unlock its full potential unless we can build the systems around it. That means more power, smarter grids, and a bigger, better-trained workforce. Washington needs to clear red tape and make it easier to build. Business needs to invest in energy and people. If we move fast and work together, we can lead the world in the next era of innovation. The time to act is now.