While solar, wind and battery storage have dominated U.S. power installations in recent years due to massive federal subsidies and state mandates, data centers require power day and night, increasing demand for highly efficient gas-fired power generation.

Data center operators, say they hadn't anticipated needing backup power supply to help grid operators meet demand and are closely watching how utility regulators in Texas write the regulations.

Mike Wirth, CEO of Chevron, one of the world’s largest energy companies and Platinum Sponsor at the Permian Power Connection Conference, raised a debate about how the race for AI is not only accelerating innovation but also putting pressure on energy systems around the world.

“With electricity demand surging from AI, manufacturing and industrial growth we need unprecedented levels of new energy production, transmission and pipeline infrastructure and we need it now,” the IPAA said. “Unfortunately today’s permitting system was designed for a different era. Hear from Stephen Hollingshead at the Permian Power Connection Conference on the concept of Permit by Rule.

Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, participated in an Energy Subcommittee hearing to discuss bills that support consumer choice, reduce energy costs, and help strengthen the electrical grid.

Having failed to pass the Texas STRONG and GROW Texas bills again this year, State Rep. Brooks Landgraf and State Sen. Cesar Blanco promise a renewed bipartisan push to make them law during the next biennial legislative session in 2027.

As the U.S. works toward greater energy independence, the intersection of clean energy, domestic manufacturing, and investment strategy is shaping the nation’s next economic chapter.

Enel North America and Mars—a pet care, snacking and food company—announced the groups have completed a major power purchase agreement (PPA) transaction involving the full output of three solar plants in Texas.

“With digital technologies at the core of our business, we are delivering comprehensive solutions that solve significant societal problems. By investing in the United States, we are strengthening local economies while accelerating innovation,” says Hitachi Ltd. President and CEO Toshiaki Tokunaga.

MARA Holdings is diversifying beyond bitcoin mining into data center hosting and power orchestration through strategic partnerships and acquisitions.

Check out this short video with Charlie Kirk giving his take on bitcoin. RIP Charlie Kirk.

Daikin, a global leader in air conditioning manufacturing, announced today a five-year agreement with ENGIE North America to power all of the company's Texas facilities with 100% renewable electricity, including the Daikin Texas Technology Park (DTTP), home to its largest manufacturing site and North American headquarters.

The need for well-trained employees in the oilfield construction, manufacturing, and data centers is serious. That is why we brought on the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, SkillUp, and others as Supporting Organizations for the Permian Power Connection Conference. We’ll be touching on that theme on multiple panels at the conference!

We’re living in what you might call the FOMO Era of data centers: everyone sees the AI boom on the horizon, and there’s intense competition to lock in capacity — fast, big, and often speculative. The U.S. writ large is being reshaped by data center projects. But nowhere is that more visible than in Texas.

Not-in-My-Backyard (NIMBY) is a serious issue in the highly-populated areas of Texas. This is happening more and more around the country. Fortunately, in the Permian we have less of that, making the Permian Basin an attractive place to place a data center or manufacturing facility.

As data center construction has gravitated toward urban and densely populated suburban locales, rural communities have tended to be underserved with limited or slower access to data centers services. This is starting to change. [This is a bit of a promo piece but also has interesting info.]

Energy Gang talks data center power.

In this RBN blog, they check out the biggest planned data centers across the Lone Star State and give a quick rundown on where things stand for each one.