It’s official: Data centers are slowing America’s shift away from coal
New federal data shows that AI demand helped push U.S. power sector emissions up last year.
The proliferation of data centers across the United States has led to a reversal of a long-standing trend in the power sector, with carbon emissions rising by 4 percent in 2025. This increase is largely attributed to a 13 percent rise in coal power generation, driven by the growth of large-scale data centers. The Energy Information Administration's report highlights that data centers could potentially account for more than 10 percent of U.S. electricity usage by 2030, with their continuous operation contributing to the extended life of aging coal plants.
While the rise in solar and wind energy has helped mitigate the impact on carbon emissions, the growth in coal usage poses a significant challenge to decarbonizing the electricity sector. The report underscores the urgent need for a shift towards cleaner energy sources to meet national climate targets, as the power sector alone accounts for about 25 percent of U.S. emissions.
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