President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at reviving the US coal industry, partly to meet the surging energy demands of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
The order designates coal as a "critical mineral" and directs federal agencies to identify coal resources, potentially allowing older coal plants to continue operations. This move comes as AI data centers are increasingly contributing to rising electricity demand, with estimates suggesting they consume 2-3% of global energy and this figure is expected to grow.
While supporters argue coal can meet this demand, critics point to cheaper and cleaner alternatives like natural gas, solar, and wind. The article notes that 93% of new US electric-generating capacity this year is projected to come from renewables and batteries, potentially making coal less competitive.
Environmental groups have criticized the administration's focus on coal, advocating instead for investments in future energy grids.
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