Construction of fossil fuel power plants to power AI data centers may offset the emission reduction achievements of the U.S. power industry

The U.S. environmental organization Sierra Club analysis points out that the construction of fossil fuel power plants to power AI data centers will offset the results of emissions reduction in the power industry. It is estimated that by 2030, carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. power industry will increase by 618 million tons compared to 2025, an increase of about 42%, most of which will come from power generation facilities not directly connected to the public power grid.