This is terrible news, though not surprising. Almost no equipment purchase or permit evidence suggesting renewable energy construction underway at data centers? Goddamnit! Come on, people! These days I always share this link from @KatharineHayhoe when this topic comes up https://katharinehayhoe.com/www-katharinehayhoe-com-ai-climate-change/ It's titled "When AI hurts the climate—and when it helps" but this research right here points to a real problem. The choices being made by developers!
That's how I see it, above, but my AI assistant puts it this way - more sympathetically, perhaps unsurprisingly!
"Data centers are done waiting. 46 facilities representing 30% of planned U.S. capacity are building their own natural gas plants because seven-year grid connection delays are unacceptable when AI compute demands are doubling faster than utilities can string wire. 90% of these projects were announced in 2025 alone.
This isn't a technology problem—it's a speed mismatch. The grid operates on utility timelines measured in years and regulatory approval cycles. Data centers operate on venture capital timelines measured in quarters and competitive advantage windows.
The result is infrastructure bifurcation: those who can afford to build parallel systems do, while everyone else waits in the queue. The economics favor self-reliance when delay costs exceed construction costs."
"Debates over electricity policy usually have a common starting point: the “natural monopoly” of the transmission system...But what if someone really did want to build their own wires?"
We need to get industry data to determine which AI is going to be the one to use the most clean energy. I have no problem switching to a Chinese or European AI if they are going to use clean energy instead. But people are already getting entrenched to certain AI's.
Any chance Canada or Mexico are going to be more responsible?
Michael, thank you for sharing this information with small non-profits like the one represent (Sustainable Newton) who can't afford to purchase the report. We are actually aware of and working to oppose a project in Covington, Georgia using RICE engines. I don't see any projects identified for Georgia in your map or summary report. The company, VoltaGrid, has applied for an air-quality permit from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The AJC reported on the project here -- https://www.ajc.com/business/2025/12/a-new-georgia-data-center-could-be-powered-by-rice-its-not-the-kind-you-eat/. Sustainable Newton joined the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and the Altamaha Riverkeeper to file comments on the VoltaGrid application with EPD. I can send you those comments if you can provide an email address or other way to get them to you.
This is terrible news, though not surprising. Almost no equipment purchase or permit evidence suggesting renewable energy construction underway at data centers? Goddamnit! Come on, people! These days I always share this link from @KatharineHayhoe when this topic comes up https://katharinehayhoe.com/www-katharinehayhoe-com-ai-climate-change/ It's titled "When AI hurts the climate—and when it helps" but this research right here points to a real problem. The choices being made by developers!
That's how I see it, above, but my AI assistant puts it this way - more sympathetically, perhaps unsurprisingly!
"Data centers are done waiting. 46 facilities representing 30% of planned U.S. capacity are building their own natural gas plants because seven-year grid connection delays are unacceptable when AI compute demands are doubling faster than utilities can string wire. 90% of these projects were announced in 2025 alone.
This isn't a technology problem—it's a speed mismatch. The grid operates on utility timelines measured in years and regulatory approval cycles. Data centers operate on venture capital timelines measured in quarters and competitive advantage windows.
The result is infrastructure bifurcation: those who can afford to build parallel systems do, while everyone else waits in the queue. The economics favor self-reliance when delay costs exceed construction costs."
See also this post out today https://heatmap.news/energy/consumer-regulated-electricity
"Debates over electricity policy usually have a common starting point: the “natural monopoly” of the transmission system...But what if someone really did want to build their own wires?"
We need to get industry data to determine which AI is going to be the one to use the most clean energy. I have no problem switching to a Chinese or European AI if they are going to use clean energy instead. But people are already getting entrenched to certain AI's.
Any chance Canada or Mexico are going to be more responsible?
On European AI and energy/emissions impacts, you might appreciate the French AI firm Mistral's Life Cycle Analysis they published this Summer https://mistral.ai/news/our-contribution-to-a-global-environmental-standard-for-ai
Michael, thank you for sharing this information with small non-profits like the one represent (Sustainable Newton) who can't afford to purchase the report. We are actually aware of and working to oppose a project in Covington, Georgia using RICE engines. I don't see any projects identified for Georgia in your map or summary report. The company, VoltaGrid, has applied for an air-quality permit from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The AJC reported on the project here -- https://www.ajc.com/business/2025/12/a-new-georgia-data-center-could-be-powered-by-rice-its-not-the-kind-you-eat/. Sustainable Newton joined the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and the Altamaha Riverkeeper to file comments on the VoltaGrid application with EPD. I can send you those comments if you can provide an email address or other way to get them to you.
Here is a link to public comments we submitted on the VoltaGrid application. https://www.sustainablenewton.org/uploads/5/9/9/5/5995302/2025.12.15_comments_re_voltagrid_air_permit_application.pdf