NEW YORK, Dec 6 (Reuters) - A co-chair of the U.S.

Congressional artificial intelligence task force urged federal

energy regulators this week to support the development of data

centers directly connected to power plants, citing national

security and competition for global AI dominance, according to a

letter seen by Reuters dated Dec. 5.

U.S. Congressman Jay Obernolte said the Federal Energy

Regulatory Commission should move speedily in crafting rules

that encourage the expansion of AI and its need for large

amounts of electricity, including by clearing the way for

so-called co-located AI data centers.

"As their energy requirements increase, the development of

co-located energy production will be instrumental in mitigating

grid strain, improving resilience, and reducing carbon

emissions," wrote Obernolte, a Republican from California.

Co-location, which can allow data centers to power up faster

than if they waited in line to connect to the broader grid, has

sparked debates among regulators around how the centers will

affect the reliability of the country's electrical system.

Last month, FERC rejected in a 2-1 vote a request to

increase the capacity of an Amazon data center located on the

site of a Talen Energy ( TLN ) nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania,

after raising questions about how diverting nuclear electricity

to serve the center would affect the broader grid.

"I urge the Commission to reject any continued delay on

these decisions as you move forward shaping the nation's energy

future," Obernolte said.

Talen, an independent power company, has asked FERC to hold

a rehearing on its interconnection agreement. Constellation

Energy ( CEG ), the country's largest nuclear power plant operator, has

also filed a complaint with FERC over co-location.