McCormick Sees America’s Future in Pittsburgh--and Beyond

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy called on the nation’s best and brightest to send Americans to the moon by 1970. He called on all Americans to support that cause – one of technological superiority and national security. It was a call to defeat the Soviet Union. It was a call to greatness.

Fast forward this week – at the invitation of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick – President Donald Trump, members of his cabinet, top entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and executives from the energy, data, technology, manufacturing, and workforce development sectors convened in Pittsburgh for an historic event organized by the first-term senator.

The clarion call was no less bold nor less important. The United States must win the advance toward artificial intelligence. It’s essential to our economy, our quality of life, and our national security. We must beat out China. And Pennsylvania, with its limitless natural gas, bountiful coal, and extensive nuclear power – alongside universities and tech employers – should power the way. Pennsylvania should be the “keystone” to America’s 21st century economy.

As economies are changing, technological innovations are rapidly changing what we do and how we do it. Moreover, how we create, develop, build, learn, and innovate are undergoing a transformation. These changes require entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, builders, and financiers. And it all requires significant energy. As Trump explained, America will need at least twice as much energy as we have today – and likely much more.

Pennsylvania has the energy – more than Saudi Arabia in gas alone. In addition, the state is a mosaic of college towns and tech hubs. Now, the state has the attention of the president, his cabinet, and global leaders in tech and energy. A few giants, such as Google, already have a footprint in Pennsylvania. A few others have already signed agreements and committed $92 billion in initial investments. 

Trump and McCormick are calling on America’s best and brightest to come together to envision the economy of the 21st and even the 22nd century. By extension, they are calling on the thousands they represent – and those working in American garages inventing the next widget. And they’re championing policies to get us there.

But none of this transformation – from America’s economy to its quality of life and increased national security – without the energy to power it. It’s why the Pittsburgh event was called the “Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation” summit. It’s why McCormick was able to convince 30 executive leaders to show up, engage, and pledge more than $92 billion in investments.

Pittsburgh sits in the region with more natural gas energy than Saudi Arabia. It’s within a car ride of existing nuclear power plants and hydro-powered plants from which we can expand and innovate even more. And the Marcellus Shale sitting at the Ohio-West Virginia-Pennsylvania natural gas hub holds 2 to 3 times the energy in the Middle East. This will lead to lower energy costs, technological innovation, and cleaner air. Imagine a decade from now, when it may cost less to heat homes, operate hospitals, and run schools. Imagine that brown outs are things of the past. (Plus, there is even more gas along the northern Pennsylvania border, which could create thousands of jobs and lead to millions in community investments.)

Pennsylvania must get this energy out of the ground for AI technology centers, and safely delivered to homes, schools, hospitals – and shipped to allies in Europe looking to break free from Putin’s Russia. We must ensure that existing nuclear plants and hydro-powered plants run at peak efficiency – and build more. The state needs smart regulations and investments – and the universal commitment to get it done.

In short: the prospect of lower energy costs, countless new jobs, a growing state with a vibrant economy, and improved security – here and among our allies abroad – and cleaner air. Plus, our children and grandchildren might work in fields and industries that do not even exist today!

Two of the approaches are already in the pipeline: Trump challenged new technology companies to construct their own mini-power plants on site. And he is offering them the opportunity to “overproduce” and provide power to the grid for homes, schools, farms, and businesses.

At the event, AI technology and energy producers also committed to constructing an AI facility that will learn how to construct a modern, safer, and more efficient nuclear facility. This is all happening in Pennsylvania.

McCormick and Trump challenged our best and brightest. Pennsylvania is poised, yet again, to be the Keystone state. Pennsylvania launched a new nation; heralded America’s industrial ascendance with oil, gas, steel, and coal; and now, we can lead the energy and innovation advances for national posterity.  

Pennsylvania has the resources, technology, educators, and workforce. We have the geography. And now we have the attention of Wall Street and Silicon Valley. And we have leaders in McCormick and Trump who not only get it – but will help lead it.

It is up to policymakers – all Pennsylvanians – to make the possibilities a reality. Will this be our moment?

Our parents and grandparents responded to Kennedy’s call. Will we answer the call to greatness from McCormick and Trump?