Data centers could send US climate pollution skyrocketing
News Source
β’2026-10-29T13:10:46-04:00
π° What Happened
A new Sierra Club analysis says US power plants could release 42 per cent more carbon dioxide. That is by 2030, compared with 2025.
The rise comes from gas plants built to supply data centres for AI. Emissions from electricity would grow by 618 million tons.
That is about the same as powering 128 million homes for a year. It would wipe out 15 years of climate progress.
π The Backstory
US greenhouse gas emissions fell from 6.58 billion tons in 2007. By 2025 they were down to 5.35 billion tons.
They started rising again last year as data centres used more power. The Trump administration is encouraging fossil fuel projects for data centres. It is also rolling back pollution rules and slowing renewable projects.
A June study predicted a 28 per cent rise by 2030. That is lower than the Sierra Club estimate.
π― Why It Matters
More gas burning means more heatwaves, bushfires and poor air. The AI boom could undo years of climate progress.
A new Sierra Club analysis says US power plants could release 42 per cent more carbon dioxide. That is by 2030, compared with 2025.
The rise comes from gas plants built to supply data centres for AI. Emissions from electricity would grow by 618 million tons.
That is about the same as powering 128 million homes for a year. It would wipe out 15 years of climate progress.
US greenhouse gas emissions fell from 6.58 billion tons in 2007. By 2025 they were down to 5.35 billion tons.
They started rising again last year as data centres used more power. The Trump administration is encouraging fossil fuel projects for data centres. It is also rolling back pollution rules and slowing renewable projects.
A June study predicted a 28 per cent rise by 2030. That is lower than the Sierra Club estimate.
More gas burning means more heatwaves, bushfires and poor air. The AI boom could undo years of climate progress.