Infrastructure Fast-Track

Infrastructure Fast-Track: US Speeds Permits for Data Centres and Energy Builds; Momentum Rises Amid Oversight Risk

Energy Considered’s network of 5,000 Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) recorded 455 mentions of data centre permitting in Q3 2025, marking the highest visibility yet for this theme. The uptick, driven largely by Fund Managers and Specialist Industry Media, reflects how federal reforms are reshaping the link between digital infrastructure and clean energy deployment. In the US, new executive actions and EPA rule updates accelerated project reviews for AI-era data centres, power plants, and transmission lines, classifying them as critical digital infrastructure. These moves come amid rising national electricity demand estimated at 4,193 billion kWh in 2025 (Q3), up 2.3 percent year-on-year with data centres alone consuming about 176 TWh, or 4.4 percent of total power use. The shift signals Washington’s intent to align permitting with the energy intensity of next-generation computing, balancing speed with tighter oversight across the EPA, DOE, and FERC.

Under the EPA’s September 2025 Clean Air Act (CAA) guidance, developers can begin non-emitting construction, lay foundations and install conduits before full air-permit approval. “This is a pivotal shift,” noted Dr Elaine Turner (Director, Environmental Policy, National Clean Energy Council, US), adding that “regulatory agility no longer means regulatory dilution.” Energy Considered’s oversight metrics indicate permitting time reductions of 10–20 percent in compliant states, even as the tighter PM2.5 standards remain in force meaning EPA’s stricter air-quality limits on fine particulate pollution are still being enforced, even though permitting processes have been made faster under the new Clean Air Act guidance.


Across the industry, Key Opinion Leaders stress balance over speed. Rajiv Menon (Chief Infrastructure Strategist, DataGrid Holdings, India) commented that “the U.S. model is fast becoming the template for coordinated digital-energy growth,” but warned that uneven state frameworks “could still delay grid readiness.” Meanwhile, Laura Chen (Head of Sustainability, HyperEdge Data Systems, Singapore) argued that “the reforms help green construction only if offset credits keep pace with rising AI power densities.” As Michael Ross (Senior Partner, Green Infra Advisory, UK) put it, “Balancing speed with accountability defines the next phase of AI-era infrastructure.” Together, their views underline that Q3’s surge in policy activity represents progress but sustainable momentum will hinge on consistency, coordination, and credibility across markets.

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Infrastructure Fast-Track: US Speeds Permits for Data Centres and Energy Builds; Momentum Rises Amid Oversight Risk - Quarter 3 2025

Case for tracking:

Q3 has seen renewed urgency from the U.S. federal government to accelerate permitting and regulatory reform, especially where AI/data centre infrastructure and power grid expansion are involved. Key moves include the Trump administration negotiating formal agreements with Western states to fast-track environmental permitting for large projects in resource-rich areas (mining, energy, and transmission developments in regions with abundant natural resources like the Mountain West, which are critical for both power generation and raw material supply).

The EPA has also proposed rules that allow certain construction (e.g. non-emissions-related site work) to begin before full Clean Air Act air permits are issued, aiming to reduce delays for data centres, power plants, and other critical infrastructure. These actions reflect growing policy prioritization around building infrastructure faster to meet AI-driven energy demand, even as concerns rise over regulatory oversight, environmental impact, and local/state cooperation.

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  • Extended editorial briefings with in-depth analysis and empirical data drawn from 5,000 of the world’s most influential commentators on the energy industry on key issues shaping the energy sector.
  • Monthly and quarterly data identifying and tracking how energy industry leaders are engaging with critical topics.
  • In depth research explaining why energy industry leaders are engaging with these key issues and providing the context and framework for further exploration.
  • Quantitative primary research conducted with responses from energy industry leaders on our panel, providing unique answers to the issues affecting the global energy industry.
  • Power BI dashboards offering dynamic exploration of 5,000 energy key opinion leaders, social and digital narrative analysed against 14 strategic and tactical energy industry metrics.
  • Expert interpretation of what these issues really mean to the industry and what decisions can be taken on the back of unprecedented empirical evidence.
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