While folks of every stripe debate whether AI is soon to wipe out humankind, just tell your Great Aunt Beatrice the lifeblood that keeps those data servers humming is energy. And energy, in whichever form enables power, doesn’t autonomously produce itself. Call this a narrow, simplistic viewpoint of the havoc AI could potentially wreak, but destruction of the world’s populace? Seriously, what would be the point?  Meanwhile, the energy industry continues to go about its day doing what it does every day, and this is where Reese Energy Consulting starts our day.

LNG terminals and data centers have no doubt become premium destination points for natural gas exports and power access across the country. In the U.S. LNG sphere, the nation exported an average 17.4 BCFD in the first six months this year—up 23% from the same period in 2025—and set for another record blast in 2026 with nine terminals now operating. The latest news here is QatarEnergy, which is in talks with Venture Global, Cheniere, and Woodside to wrap up U.S. LNG long-term agreements through 2031.

The backlash of data centers hasn’t deterred N.D., or Wyo., from wooing AI developers. With offers of widespread land, abundant low-cost energy including natural gas, midstream infrastructure, and cold climates for cooling, both states are chasing an AI boom that could mean billions of dollars in investments in business-friendly environments. Among the projects in play are Applied Digital in N.D., which is building large AI computing sites, including the Polaris Forge 2, a 280-MW facility, and Microsoft’s announcement to buy 3,200 acres of land in Cheyenne, Wyo., to expand its data center footprint.

Now, bless Great Aunt Beatrice’s heart and pour her a cold one.