Federal regulators have ordered regional grid operators to speed up the process for connecting large energy users, including AI data centers, to the U.S. electric transmission system.

The move is aimed at meeting rapidly rising electricity demand and strengthening U.S. competitiveness in artificial intelligence development.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright pushed for the change, which tech companies welcomed as a way to reduce delays in securing power for massive new data centers.

Utilities and some states expressed concern about losing control over connection decisions, though regulators said state authority over retail rates would remain intact, the AP has reported.

The decision comes amid growing backlash over the environmental and infrastructure impacts of large-scale data centers.