Trump Unveils Urgent Energy Plan: Walmart Generators to Save Costs

UPDATE: In a surprising announcement, former President Donald Trump‘s Energy Secretary Chris Wright has proposed a controversial plan to address skyrocketing energy costs by utilizing backup generators from Walmart. Speaking at the North American Gas Forum in Washington on Tuesday, Wright revealed that this strategy could potentially unleash up to 35 gigawatts of electricity—equivalent to the output of 35 nuclear power plants.

As demand from AI data centers continues to surge, local communities face increasing energy prices and shortages. Wright emphasized that the existing infrastructure could quickly be leveraged to meet these demands without imposing restrictions on tech companies. He stated, “We’re going to unleash that 35 gigawatts of capacity that sits there today,” igniting interest among executives eager to capitalize on this massive energy potential.

This plan, however, raises significant environmental concerns. Critics point out that running gas-powered generators around the clock could lead to increased emissions, including dangerous levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, which are linked to serious health risks such as respiratory issues and cardiovascular diseases. Wright’s approach appears to sidestep these critical environmental standards that have been relaxed under the Trump administration.

“When people say, ‘AI is going to drive up my price of electricity,’ it’s actually the opposite,” Wright said, according to the Wall Street Journal. “The way to get electricity prices down is to produce more electricity.”

This idea of harnessing Walmart’s backup systems is not entirely new; it was previously mentioned by Wright during an appearance on Fox News, where he reiterated the potential of tapping into these resources to boost electricity production when necessary. “We will take backup generators already at data centers or behind the back of a Walmart and bring those on when we need extra electricity production,” he noted.

While the urgency of the situation demands immediate solutions, the practicality and sustainability of utilizing these backup generators remain contentious. As energy prices continue to climb, communities are left wondering whether this approach will truly benefit them or merely serve corporate interests.

In the coming days, all eyes will be on the responses from Walmart and other stakeholders regarding this proposal. Will they cooperate in running their generators full-time to support the energy grid? The implications of this move could significantly alter the landscape of energy distribution and pricing across the nation.

Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds and more details emerge about the feasibility of Wright’s ambitious plan.