Data Centers Move Back To Pollution For AI

By Douglas McIntyre  •  September 15, 2025
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For more than a decade, the energy plan for the green world has been that electricity would be supplied more and more by green energy. This would be led by solar and wind installations. Billions of dollars were invested in moving these forward. This, in turn, would cut the use of natural gas and coal. 

AI server fame demand is moving well ahead of what was expected. While rising rates for consumers and legacy businesses may help fund more supply, there is no chance to catch up with this demand. Electricity utilities will need to return to their old energy sources. The greening of electricity is gone. 

The AP reports that data centers are threatening grids. “That’s because grids can’t keep up with the fast-growing number of data center projects unfolding in Texas and perhaps 20 other states as the U.S. competes in a race against China for artificial intelligence superiority.”

Data Center Electricity

Grid operators around the nation hoped that nuclear might take up the slack. Moving reactors online will take years of construction and government approvals. The news service reported this may trigger residential blackouts. 

In the short term, utilities will move back to coal and natural gas. This will provide additional energy, but most estimates of AI data center needs show that it is not enough

A war for electricity is coming. It will become a major political issue. Within one or two election cycles, it may make it to the top of the list.

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