How much could data centers raise US power sector emissions by 2030?

The US power sector could release 42 percent more planet-heating carbon dioxide in 2030 than it did in 2025, as it builds out more fossil fuel infrastructure to meet the electricity demand of data centers, according to a new analysis by the Sierra Club. The group says that increase would essentially wipe out 15 years of greenhouse gas reductions.

If the planned artificial intelligence projects are built, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation would rise by 618 million tons by the end of the decade. The Sierra Club compared that figure to the annual carbon pollution from the electricity use of nearly 129 million homes.

Why do estimates of data center emissions differ?

The Sierra Club's estimate runs higher than some previous projections. A study by academic researchers published in June forecast that electricity demand from data centers and cryptocurrency mines could push power sector emissions up 28 percent by 2030, compared with a scenario with no data center growth. The outcome hinges on how many planned data center projects actually get built and on the type of technology used to power them.

Are US greenhouse gas emissions still falling?

Overall US greenhouse gas emissions have fallen sharply over the past two decades. Net emissions dropped from a peak of about 6.58 billion metric tons in 2007 to about 5.35 billion metric tons in 2025. That progress stalled last year. Pollution began climbing again as data centers drove up electricity demand.

Federal policy is moving in the same direction. The Trump administration is encouraging the buildout of fossil fuel infrastructure to serve data centers, while rolling back pollution regulations and stalling renewable energy projects.

A separate report from the Environmental Defense Fund, published this month, found that the US is now planning to build more fossil fuel capacity than it has in a decade.

Cet article a été rédigé avec l'assistance de l'IA.
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