US data centers could consume more natural gas than Germany and Japan combined by 2035 | TechCrunch
techcrunch.com
The AI frenzy could push U.S. data centers to become one of the largest consumers of natural gas in the world.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/70951453

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/71553176

The AI frenzy could push U.S. data centers to become one of the largest consumers of natural gas in the world.

Archived version: https://archive.is/20260915183628/https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/15/us-data-centers-could-consume-more-natural-gas-than-germany-and-japan-combined-by-2035/

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

  • Hirom@beehaw.org
    4·
    13 days ago

    These already contribute the rise in coal use.

    The rise in coal use was largely driven by the growth of data centres. Last year, US energy secretary Chris Wright said coal would be “essential” to “winning the AI race”

    https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/us-coal-biggest-contributor-by-far-to-rise-in-global-emissions/

    Most of this could be avoided by making polluters pay, ie collect a carbon tax than represent the real cost of pollution. The alternative is to keep having everyone else pay for the damages and cleanup (more illnesses, higher income/sales tax, higher insurance premiums, …).