Story perspectives

Coal Use Soars in U.S. Datacenters Amid Energy Crisis

10/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. datacenters increasingly rely on coal due to high natural gas prices and rising electricity demand, with coal generation up nearly 20% this year.
A Jefferies report predicts coal use will continue through 2027, raising environmental concerns.
AI data centers' rapid growth strains the energy grid, with power needs set to triple by 2030.
Oklo and NuScale Power are developing small modular reactors, but regulatory hurdles and competition challenge progress.

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Story summary

U.S. datacenters increasingly rely on coal due to high natural gas prices and rising electricity demand, with coal generation up nearly 20% this year.
A Jefferies report predicts coal use will continue through 2027, raising environmental concerns.
AI data centers' rapid growth strains the energy grid, with power needs set to triple by 2030.
Oklo and NuScale Power are developing small modular reactors, but regulatory hurdles and competition challenge progress.