Artificial intelligence, envisioned as the technology of the future, surprisingly continues to feed on the energy of the past. Data centers’ insatiable thirst for energy is causing sharp shifts in global energy policies.
As technology races toward the future, energy returns to the past
Recent analyses indicate that coal power is once again taking center stage to support this new technological revolution. According to reports by Politico and Frontier Group, electric companies have been forced to adjust their plans.
Accordingly, plans to retire 30 coal-fired power plants to power data centers have been officially postponed. This isn’t just a corporate initiative; officials are also confirming this trend.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin clarified the situation in an op-ed he wrote for Fox News. Zeldin emphasized the need for coal plants in the United States to remain operational to meet the growing demand for domestic production and AI data centers.
However, between 2010 and 2019, the energy sector was trending in a different direction. At the time, it was announced that 546 coal plants with a total capacity of 102 gigawatts would be shut down. While market conditions in the past led to the decline of coal, today these same conditions are paving the way for its return.
The return of coal to the forefront also raises health concerns. According to a report on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website, 460,000 deaths could have been prevented between 1999 and 2020 if coal emissions had not been present.
The administration appears to be leaning towards loosening regulations. While new laws are being drafted, it is being reported that approximately 70 power plants will be allowed to deviate from the mercury and soot limits set for 2027.
Furthermore, the suspension of silica dust regulations regarding miner safety is drawing criticism from unions. This is rekindling the debate about the balance between technological progress and human health.
While artificial intelligence is making our lives easier, the energy costs behind the scenes are steadily rising. What are your thoughts on these developments? For the sake of technological progress, we are losing old energy.
