Arizona faces growing demands for power and water as its infrastructure must expand significantly over the next decade. This was the central topic at an event hosted by Arizona State University (ASU), where U.S. Representative Andy Biggs addressed how the state can respond to these challenges.
Biggs, who has represented Arizona’s 5th Congressional District since 2017, spoke during ASU’s Congressional Dialogue Series at the Walton Center for Planetary Health in Tempe on August 15. He emphasized the need for timely action regarding nuclear energy expansion in Arizona, stating, “That’s 15 years; hence, we will lose all of our potential market driving force and leadership. Arizona and the Phoenix metro area are internationally considered one of the future tech growth areas (in the country). As long as we have the infrastructure to support that, waiting 15 years is way too long.”
During a fireside chat with Lara Ferry, vice president of research at ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise, Biggs discussed his approach to shaping energy policy in Congress. The conversation also covered maintaining grid stability, deploying small modular reactors (SMRs), scaling innovations like AI data centers, and fostering partnerships between federal agencies and universities.
Biggs highlighted that both Arizona and Virginia are leading states in building data centers. These facilities generate substantial tax revenue and economic activity but require large amounts of electricity. Addressing about 100 attendees, Biggs said, “Who wants to see that? I do. And you should want to see that, too. The economy will speed up, really moving very fast.”
Scott Barclay, assistant vice president of research in ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise and a political science professor, provided context on rising energy needs from AI data centers. He noted these centers currently use about 9% of total U.S. electricity—a figure expected to rise above 12% within three years—putting further pressure on the power grid. Barclay told attendees, “At that point, AI data centers will collectively be drawing amounts of electricity similar to the current demand from both California and Texas combined. This is an unprecedented change in the demand placed on our electricity grid. And, given that Arizona is among the top states for data centers, the impacts will be more acutely felt here.” Without short-term innovation in energy supply, he warned that consumers could face higher bills and potential brownouts.
Both Barclay and Biggs pointed to SMRs as a promising solution for meeting increasing energy demands. Each SMR can generate up to 300 megawatts of electricity—about one-third of a traditional nuclear reactor—offering flexibility for expanding capacity.
Adam Deguire, vice president in ASU’s Office of Government and Community Engagement, described ASU’s Congressional Dialogue Series as an example of collaboration between academia and policymakers: “These discussions are more than just a dialogue,” Deguire said. “They’re a reflection of the partnership between ASU and those shaping policy in Washington, and our shared commitment to advancing research and innovation that serve the public good.”
Sally Morton, executive vice president of Knowledge Enterprise at ASU, commented on the university’s achievements: “Today’s topic — energy innovation — could not be more timely,” Morton said. “The ubiquitous nature of artificial intelligence and its centrality to our nation’s future and security are the driving need for energy at a pace we’ve never seen before. Our nation must be at the front of this innovation and maintain leadership and independence.” She also noted that ASU recently surpassed $1 billion in annual research expenditures.
Biggs stated that if Arizona takes a leading role in developing new technologies such as SMRs—with interest from companies like Westinghouse Electric and TerraPower—the state could attract significant private investment: “You are starting to see companies like Westinghouse Electric, Coal Tech International, X-energy, Kairos Power, TerraPower all wanting to come in with private dollars to help speed up the ability of SMRs to be developed and deployed,” Biggs said.
He warned about regulatory delays: “I’m afraid to tell you that we will fall perhaps irrevocably behind in this new race,” Biggs said. “Arizona is meant to be, in my opinion, the leader. The only true competitor we have is Virginia.”
Biggs also praised local universities’ roles: “All the Arizona universities bring something to the table and give us the skilled pipeline that come with these ideas,” he said. “ASU is really doing a great job. They have a mega engineering school, and we are ready to go. We just have to get the power here.”
The event reflected ongoing efforts by ASU through regular dialogues with policymakers aimed at addressing critical issues facing both Arizona’s economy and infrastructure needs.
