DOE warns aging coal plants may stay online as AI drives up power demand

A new U.S. Department of Energy report predicts severe grid strain by 2030 if fossil fuel plant closures continue while artificial intelligence data center expansion accelerates.

Peter Behr reports for E&E News.

In short:

The Department of Energy (DOE) projects major power outages in the mid-Atlantic and Great Plains regions unless the U.S. slows coal and gas plant retirements and builds new power infrastructure to support the energy demands of AI data centers.
The report lays groundwork for President Trump to invoke emergency powers under the Federal Power Act to delay fossil plant closures, framing AI competition with China as a national emergency.
Clean energy advocates say the DOE overstates blackout risks and undervalues wind, solar, and battery technologies, warning that keeping outdated plants online could drive up costs for consumers.

Key quote:

“Absent intervention, it is impossible for the nation’s bulk power system to meet the AI growth requirements while maintaining a reliable power grid and keeping energy costs low for our citizens.”

— U.S. Department of Energy report

Why this matters:

Data centers that power AI tools require massive and continuous energy inputs, and utilities are struggling to keep up — especially as coal and gas plants are phased out. But leaning too heavily on old infrastructure means clinging to some of the dirtiest sources of power, which contribute heavily to air pollution and climate change.

www.eenews.net

DOE warns aging coal plants may stay online as AI drives up power demand

A landslide in Alaska set off a Tsunami. There may be more to come

Alaska landslide set off CN Tower-sized tsunami last year — and a warning for B.C.

Faster slaughterhouse line speeds are increasingly a climate problem

Country singer Corb Lund called “woke bastard” for protesting coal mining in Alberta

A new Enbridge pipeline spurs opposition in central North Carolina

Enviros say Supreme Court decision boosts states' ‘climate superfunds’

Up to 2cm a month: Nasa keeps track as Mexico City sinks into the ground

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.