Clean Energy Group Blog
“Bring Your Own Power” Can’t Fix Data Centers’ Emissions Problem
Regulators are contending with the fallout from explosive data center growth, including issues such as skyrocketing ratepayer costs and crumbling grid reliability. The bring-your-own-power (BYOP) model, in which data centers are incentivized to build or procure their own generation rather than connect to the grid, is a potential solution. But without appropriate emissions guardrails in…
States are stepping up to protect households from rising energy bills due to data centers
Data centers have become a central topic in conversations about energy. The rise in generative AI platforms like ChatGPT has led to widespread and ongoing buildout of energy-hungry data centers, causing concern about unmitigated load growth and rising energy bills. To meet increased energy demand and ensure grid reliability, expensive grid upgrades are being proposed…
Data centers are reshaping Pennsylvania’s energy landscape—and not for the better
On February 3rd, during his annual address to the Pennsylvania general assembly, Governor Josh Shapiro expressed his concerns about how the rapid buildout of data centers in the state could contribute to rising electricity costs. His calls for guardrails on data center development may fall flat considering his previously unbridled support. Shapiro is currently backing…
Three of the biggest harms from irresponsible data center development—and what communities can do to fight back
The unrestricted build-out of data centers across the country is threatening energy affordability, grid reliability, public health and state climate goals. A recent analysis found that at the current rate of expansion, US data centers will add an additional 44 million metric tons of CO2 to the atmosphere annually and will drain up to 1,125…