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USA Today
17-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Trump joins tech leaders to launch $90 billion AI push at Pittsburgh summit
President Donald Trump joined executives from some of the largest U.S. tech and energy companies for a summit in Pittsburgh on Tuesday as the administration prepares more measures to power the U.S. expansion of artificial intelligence. Top economic rivals, the U.S. and China, are locked in a technological arms race over who can dominate AI as the technology takes on increasing importance everywhere from corporate boardrooms to the battlefield. The Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University brought tech executives and officials from top energy and tech firms, including Meta META.O, Microsoft MSFT.O, Alphabet GOOGL.O and Exxon Mobil XOM.N, to discuss how to position the U.S. as a leader in AI. Trump and the summit's host, U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, a Republican ally from Pennsylvania, highlighted some $90 billion in artificial intelligence and energy investments in the state. "This is a really triumphant day for the people of the Commonwealth and for the United States of America, we're doing things that nobody ever thought possible," Trump told the attendees. Big Tech is scrambling to secure enough electricity to power the energy-guzzling data centers needed for its rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Companies began announcing their plans early on Tuesday, with Google inking a $3 billion electricity deal and CoreWeave CRWV.O touting a $6 billion AI data center. Artificial intelligence: Nvidia becomes first company to reach $4 trillion market cap. What are the top 5? Google said it secured as much as 3 gigawatts of U.S. hydropower in a deal between the tech firm and Brookfield Asset Management that includes initial 20-year power purchase agreements for electricity generated from two facilities in Pennsylvania. Asset management firm Blackstone's BX.N President Jon Gray also said they will announce on Tuesday a $25 billion investment in data centers and energy infrastructure in Pennsylvania. The CEOs that attended included Khaldoon Al-Mubarak of Abu Dhabi investment company Mubadala, Rene Haas of Arm O9Ty.F, Larry Fink of BlackRock BLK.N, Darren Woods of Exxon Mobil, Brendan Bechtel of Bechtel and Dario Amodei of Anthropic. The White House is considering executive actions in the coming weeks to make it easier for power-generating projects to connect to the grid and also provide federal land on which to build the data centers needed to expand AI technology, Reuters previously reported. The administration is also weighing streamlining permitting for data centers by creating a nationwide Clean Water Act permit, rather than requiring companies to seek permits on a state-by-state basis. Trump ordered his administration in January to produce an AI Action Plan that would make "America the world capital in artificial intelligence" and reduce regulatory barriers to its rapid expansion. That report, which includes input from the National Security Council, is due by July 23. Trump is set to mark that deadline with a major speech as part of an event titled 'Winning the AI Race,' organized by White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks and his co-hosts on the All-In podcast, a White House official told Reuters. U.S. power demand is hitting record highs this year after nearly two decades of stagnation as AI and cloud computing data centers balloon in numbers and size across the country. The demand is also leading to unprecedented deals between the power industry and technology companies, including the attempted restart of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania between Constellation Energy CEG.O and Microsoft. The surge has led to concerns about power shortages that threaten to raise electricity bills and increase the risk of blackouts, while slowing Big Tech in its global race against countries like China to dominate AI. Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; additional reporting by Laila Kearney in New York; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Stephen Coates, Tomasz Janowski and Marguerita Choy
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Trump joins tech and energy executives amid AI push
U.S. President Donald Trump will join executives from some of the largest U.S. tech and energy companies for a summit in Pittsburgh on Tuesday as the administration prepares more measures to power the U.S. expansion of artificial intelligence. Top economic rivals, the U.S. and China, are locked in a technological arms race over who can dominate AI as the technology takes on increasing importance everywhere from corporate boardrooms to the battlefield. The Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University is expected to bring tech executives and officials from top energy and tech firms, including Meta, Microsoft, Alphabet and Exxon Mobil, to discuss how to position the U.S. as a leader in AI. Trump will use the summit, arranged by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, a Republican ally from Pennsylvania, to announce about $90 billion in artificial intelligence and energy investments in the state. McCormick said in his introductory remarks "the stakes couldn't be higher," even as Nvidia and AMD prepared to resume selling their chips to U.S. rival China. 'If the United States does not lead this revolution on our own terms, we will hand control of our infrastructure, our data, our leadership and our way of life to the Chinese Communist Party,' he said. Big Tech is scrambling to secure enough electricity to power the energy-guzzling data centers needed for its rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Companies began announcing their plans early on Tuesday, with Google inking a $3 billion electricity deal and CoreWeave touting a $6 billion AI data center. Google said it secured as much as 3 gigawatts of U.S. hydropower in a deal between the tech firm and Brookfield Asset Management that includes initial 20-year power purchase agreements, for electricity generated from two facilities in Pennsylvania. Asset management firm Blackstone's President Jon Gray also said they will announce on Tuesday a $25 billion investment in data centers and energy infrastructure in Pennsylvania. The CEOs expected to attend include Khaldoon Al-Mubarak of Abu Dhabi investment company Mubadala, Rene Haas of Arm, Larry Fink of BlackRock, Darren Woods of Exxon Mobil, Brendan Bechtel of Bechtel and Dario Amodei of Anthropic. The White House is considering executive actions in the coming weeks to make it easier for power-generating projects to connect to the grid and also provide federal land on which to build the data centers needed to expand AI technology, Reuters previously reported. The administration is also weighing streamlining permitting for data centers by creating a nationwide Clean Water Act permit, rather than requiring companies to seek permits on a state-by-state basis. Trump ordered his administration in January to produce an AI Action Plan that would make "America the world capital in artificial intelligence" and reduce regulatory barriers to its rapid expansion. That report, which includes input from the National Security Council, is due by July 23. Trump is set to mark that deadline with a major speech as part of an event titled 'Winning the AI Race,' organised by White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks and his co-hosts on the All-In podcast, a White House official told Reuters. U.S. power demand is hitting record highs this year after nearly two decades of stagnation as AI and cloud computing data centers balloon in numbers and size across the country. The demand is also leading to unprecedented deals between the power industry and technology companies, including the attempted restart of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania between Constellation Energy and Microsoft. The surge has led to concerns about power shortages that threaten to raise electricity bills and increase the risk of blackouts, while slowing Big Tech in its global race against countries like China to dominate AI.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trump joins tech and energy executives amid AI push
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills President Donald Trump will join executives from some of the largest US tech and energy companies for a summit in Pittsburgh on Tuesday as the administration prepares fresh measures to power the US expansion of artificial economic rivals US and China are locked in a technological arms race over who can dominate AI as the technology takes on increasing importance everywhere from corporate boardrooms to the Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University is expected to bring tech executives and officials from top energy and tech firms including Meta , Microsoft, Alphabet and Exxon Mobil to discuss how to position the US as a leader in will use the summit - put together by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, a Republican ally from Pennsylvania - to announce some $70 billion in artificial intelligence and energy investments in the state. Big Tech is scrambling to secure vast amounts of electricity supplies to power the energy-guzzling data centers needed for its rapid expansion of artificial CEOs expected to attend include Khaldoon Al-Mubarak of Mubadala, Rene Hass of SoftBank, Larry Fink of BlackRock, Darren Woods of ExxonMobil, Brendan Bechtel of Bechtel and Dario Amodei of White House is considering executive actions in the coming weeks to make it easier for power-generating projects to connect to the grid and also provide federal land on which to build the data centers needed to expand AI technology, Reuters previously administration is also weighing streamlining permitting for data centers by creating a nationwide Clean Water Act permit, rather than requiring companies to seek permits on a state-by-state Sommers, head of the influential American Petroleum Institute, said executive action is welcomed to unlock the energy needed to power the data centers, but a more durable solution is needed."Real durable permitting reform requires an act of Congress, not just an executive order," Sommers said in an interview with ordered his administration in January to produce an AI Action Plan that would make "America the world capital in artificial intelligence" and reduce regulatory barriers to its rapid report, which includes input from the National Security Council, is due by July 23. The White House is considering making July 23 "AI Action Day" to draw attention to the report and demonstrate its commitment to expanding the industry, Reuters has power demand is hitting record highs this year after nearly two decades of stagnation as AI and cloud computing data centers balloon in numbers and size across the demand is also leading to unprecedented deals between the power industry and technology companies, including the attempted restart of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania between Constellation Energy and surge has led to concerns about power shortages that threaten to raise electricity bills and increase the risk of blackouts, while slowing Big Tech in its global race against countries like China to dominate artificial intelligence.
Business Journals
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Business Journals
Atlanta gets more rain than Seattle: The surprising truth about Southern rainfall and it's hidden impact
When you think of rainy cities, Seattle is likely to come to mind. Famous for its overcast skies and near-daily drizzle, the city has built a reputation around raincoats and coffee shops. But here's a surprising truth: Atlanta, Georgia, receives more average annual rainfall than Seattle. That fact alone is unexpected, but when we consider what all that rain means for urban pollution, it becomes even more significant. Seattle experiences an average of around 37 inches of rain per year. The catch? That rain falls in small, frequent amounts across about 150 days annually. Atlanta, on the other hand, sees roughly 50 inches of rain per year: over 13 inches more than Seattle. However, Atlanta's rainfall tends to come in fewer but more intense downpours, which poses unique environmental challenges. These heavier rain events in Atlanta don't just bring water; they carry pollutants, strain stormwater systems and threaten the health of rivers, creeks and lakes throughout the region. When rain hits paved surfaces like roads and parking lots, it has nowhere to go. Instead of soaking into the ground, it becomes stormwater runoff, which collects pollutants like oils, grease and trash, and flushes them directly into local waterways. This pollution can damage ecosystems, harm wildlife and contaminate drinking water sources. In Atlanta, that means critical waterways like Peachtree Creek, the Chattahoochee River and Lake Lanier are at risk. Over time, this kind of pollution also increases maintenance costs, raises flood risks and degrades public spaces. The solution To address these issues, cities like Atlanta and the State of Georgia enforce stormwater regulations based on the Clean Water Act. These rules are designed to reduce the volume and improve the quality of runoff entering local waterways. Effective stormwater management means more than installing a drainage system. It requires regular maintenance to keep systems functioning and compliant. A proper maintenance program typically includes: Monthly or quarterly site visits to remove trash, clear debris and inspect system components Annual inspections to assess performance, document findings and check for signs of wear or damage Corrective actions when erosion, clogging or structural issues are discovered Routine reporting and compliance documentation to meet regulatory requirements Without these steps, stormwater systems become less effective and more prone to failure. Neglected systems can lead to flooding, violations, safety concerns and expensive emergency repairs. Managing stormwater systems can be complex, but you do not have to do it alone. AQUALIS is a trusted stormwater and wastewater compliance partner with years of experience working across Georgia and nationwide. Our team supports commercial properties, municipalities and industrial facilities by providing reliable, end-to-end solutions. With AQUALIS, you can expect: We help you stay ahead of maintenance needs, avoid violations and protect your property and surrounding environment. Atlanta may not be known for its rainfall, but it gets more than its share. With that comes responsibility. Stormwater pollution is one of the leading causes of water quality issues in urban areas. But with proper management, cities and property owners can reduce runoff impacts and preserve water resources. Partnering with an experienced provider like AQUALIS helps ensure that your stormwater system does what it was designed to do. Clean water, protected infrastructure and compliance with local and state regulations all start with proper stormwater care. Contact AQUALIS today to schedule a site assessment and create a maintenance plan that works for you. AQUALIS is the premier provider of sustainable water management for stormwater, wastewater and water quality testing. Our engineers and certified water compliance professionals provide technical expertise and optimal, tailored solutions for sustainable water compliance design, consultation, construction and management. From concept to completion and lifetime preventative maintenance and repairs, AQUALIS has the in-house capabilities to support your corporate water infrastructure and compliance needs. Heather is certified stormwater inspector that deeply understands regulatory requirements and the watersheds the regulations protect. Known for her commitment to customer success, Heather excels in managing complex projects and providing clear, effective presentations and training. To learn more about maintaining compliance through inspections and maintenance contact Heather today at (404) 416-5546.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Landmark US study reveals sewage sludge and wastewater plants tied to Pfas pollution
Sewage sludge and wastewater treatment plants are major sources of Pfas water pollution, new research finds, raising questions about whether the US is safely managing its waste. A first-of-its-kind study tested rivers bordering 32 sewage sludge sites, including wastewater treatment plants and fields where the substance is spread as fertilizer – it found concerning levels of Pfas around all but one. The study is the first to sample water up- and downstream from sites, and to test around the country. It found the levels downstream were higher for at least one Pfas compound 95% of the time, suggesting that the sludge sites are behind the increased pollution levels. 'We have an indication of very widespread problems and significant exposures that people are going to be facing,' said Kelly Hunter Foster, an environmental attorney with the Waterkeeper Alliance, which conducted the study. Pfas are a class of about 15,000 compounds that are dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they do not naturally break down, and accumulate in the human body and environment. The chemicals are linked to a range of serious health problems like cancer, liver disease, kidney issues, high cholesterol, birth defects and decreased immunity. Sludge is a mix of human and industrial waste that is a byproduct of the wastewater treatment process. Its disposal is expensive, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows it to be spread on cropland as 'biosolid' fertilizer because it is also rich in plant nutrients. But public health advocates have blasted the practice because the nation spends billions of dollars annually treating water only to take the toxic byproduct, insert it into the food supply and re-pollute water. Wastewater treatment plants' effluent, or allegedly clean water that they spit back into water systems, often contain high levels of Pfas. Most of the levels far exceeded the EPA's draft guidance for Pfas in surface waters, which is as low as 0.0009 parts per trillion for PFOA, one of the most common and dangerous types of compounds. The authors looked at water in 19 states, and found the highest levels in Detroit's Rouge River, which showed 44ppt of PFOA; North Carolina's Haw River; South Carolina's Pocotaligo River and Maryland's Potomac River. The largest increase around a wastewater plant was found in the Rouge River, where Detroit's mammoth facility spits Pfas-tainted effluent. The chemicals' levels jumped by 146% to about 80ppt for all Pfas. The Pocotaligo, Haw, and Santa Ana River in southern California saw similar spikes. The largest increase around a field on which sewage sludge was spread was found in the Dragoon Creek near Spokane, Washington, where total Pfas levels jumped from about 0.63 ppt to about 33ppt, an increase of over 5,100%. The EPA has long resisted calls to ban the spreading of sewage sludge on agricultural fields, though a 2024 lawsuit that alleges Clean Water Act violations could force some regulatory action. The Trump administration has scrapped the rulemaking process for industrial discharges of Pfas that Joe Biden's EPA began. That would have forced treatment plants to rein in their pollution.
