WASHINGTON — In a wide-ranging web exclusive interview with CBS News, Sen. Dave McCormick, the incoming Republican senator from Pennsylvania, emphasized the critical intersection of artificial intelligence and energy policy, warning that the United States must ramp up its domestic energy production to keep pace with the technology's explosive growth.
McCormick, who defeated Democrat Bob Casey in the November 2024 election to secure Pennsylvania's open Senate seat, spoke with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Robert Costa on Thursday. The discussion, aired as an extended online feature, delved into how the surge in AI development is driving unprecedented energy demands, particularly for data centers that power the technology. "AI is going to require an enormous amount of energy," McCormick said. "We're talking about data centers that could consume as much power as entire cities."
The senator, a former hedge fund executive and Army Ranger with a background in national security, framed AI not just as a technological revolution but as a national security imperative. He argued that America's leadership in AI hinges on reliable, affordable energy sources, drawing parallels to the country's historical investments in infrastructure during the Industrial Revolution. According to McCormick, the Biden administration's policies have hampered energy production, leaving the U.S. vulnerable to foreign dependencies, especially from adversaries like China.
"We've got to unleash American energy," McCormick told Costa. "That means all of the above: natural gas, nuclear, renewables where it makes sense, but we can't afford to tie one hand behind our back with excessive regulations." He pointed to Pennsylvania's role as a key energy state, rich in natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation, which he said could fuel AI innovation without relying on imported power.
The interview comes amid a broader national conversation about AI's environmental footprint. Recent reports from the International Energy Agency indicate that global data centers, many powered by AI workloads, consumed about 1-1.3% of the world's electricity in 2022, a figure projected to double by 2026. In the U.S., tech giants like Microsoft and Google have pledged billions to expand data center capacity, with locations scouted in energy-rich states such as Texas and Virginia.
McCormick highlighted specific examples, noting that a single AI training run for models like OpenAI's GPT-4 can require energy equivalent to hundreds of households over several months. "If we don't get this right, we're going to see blackouts, higher costs for families, and a loss of our competitive edge," he said. The senator advocated for streamlined permitting processes for new power plants and a revival of nuclear energy, which he described as "clean, reliable, and essential for baseload power."
Contextually, McCormick's remarks build on his campaign promises to prioritize energy independence, a theme that resonated in Pennsylvania, a swing state with a history of coal mining and fracking debates. During the 2024 election cycle, energy policy was a flashpoint, with Republicans criticizing Democratic green energy initiatives as job-killers, while Democrats accused opponents of ignoring climate change. McCormick, who raised over $70 million for his campaign according to Federal Election Commission filings, positioned himself as a bridge between traditional energy sectors and emerging tech.
In the interview, Costa pressed McCormick on potential trade-offs, such as the environmental impact of expanded fossil fuel use. The senator responded by emphasizing technological advancements in carbon capture and cleaner natural gas extraction. "We're not going back to the dirty days; innovation is key," McCormick replied. He also touched on workforce implications, suggesting that AI could create up to 97 million new jobs globally by 2025, per World Economic Forum estimates, but only if energy infrastructure supports it.
McCormick's perspective aligns with other Republican leaders, such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has called for deregulation to bolster AI competitiveness. However, Democratic sources, including Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, have advocated for a more balanced approach, integrating AI governance with sustainability goals. Warner's office recently released a framework for AI accountability, which includes energy efficiency standards for tech firms, though McCormick dismissed such measures as "overreach that slows progress."
Further into the discussion, McCormick addressed international dimensions, noting China's aggressive investments in AI and rare earth minerals essential for tech hardware. "They're not waiting for perfect regulations; they're building dominance," he said. The senator urged Congress to pass legislation incentivizing domestic semiconductor production under the CHIPS Act, tying it to energy policy by proposing tax credits for energy-efficient data centers.
Pennsylvania-specific details emerged when McCormick referenced the state's 2023 energy output: over 200 million tons of coal and natural gas production that accounted for 60% of the nation's Marcellus Shale gas. He envisioned AI hubs in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, leveraging the region's universities like Carnegie Mellon, a leader in AI research since the 1950s. "Pennsylvania can be the Silicon Valley of the East if we power it right," McCormick asserted.
As the interview wrapped, Costa asked about timelines. McCormick predicted that without action, U.S. AI leadership could slip within five years, citing a 2024 Stanford study ranking the U.S. first but closing the gap with China. The senator called for bipartisan cooperation, though he critiqued the current administration's pause on new liquefied natural gas exports as a misstep announced in January 2024.
Broader implications of McCormick's stance ripple through policy debates as the 119th Congress convenes in January 2025. With Republicans gaining Senate control, energy and AI bills could advance, potentially including the senator's proposed "AI Energy Security Act," which he outlined briefly in the interview as a framework for federal grants to upgrade the grid. Critics from environmental groups like the Sierra Club have already voiced concerns, labeling it a "giveaway to polluters," according to a statement released Friday.
Looking ahead, McCormick's interview signals his intent to shape the GOP agenda on tech and energy. As he prepares to join the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, his views may influence upcoming hearings on AI regulation scheduled for early 2025. For now, the conversation underscores a pivotal moment: as AI transforms society, the fuel to power it remains a contentious battleground.
In Pennsylvania, reactions were mixed. State Rep. Patty Kim, a Democrat from Harrisburg, welcomed the focus on jobs but urged inclusion of renewable incentives. "AI's future shouldn't come at the expense of our planet," she said in a local interview. McCormick's office did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.