Former Google CEO Warns Congress About How Much Electricity AI Will Need

By Douglas McIntyre  •  April 23, 2025

Douglas McIntyre, Editor-in-Chief at Climate Crisis 24/7, explains that a surge in electricity demand driven by AI development could revive coal usage in the U.S. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt warned Congress that AI may require up to 50% of U.S. power within a decade. With renewables lagging and nuclear options requiring long lead times, coal—despite being the dirtiest fuel—may re-emerge as a major energy source. McIntyre frames this as a looming conflict between technological progress and environmental sustainability.

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