Burgum Pushes Data Centers on Public Land

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is leading an administration effort to allow technology companies to build data centers on federally managed public lands at the same time he holds large, not‑fully‑divested investments in AI firms via Arthur Ventures. His 2026 financial disclosure shows tens of millions of dollars (reported in wide ranges) tied to AI companies while the administration frames data‑center buildout as an urgent national priority. — If officials who control permitting for strategic infrastructure retain sizable private stakes in the industry, that raises conflict‑of‑interest, procurement and land‑stewardship questions that reshape how the public evaluates AI infrastructure policy.