{"id":3325,"date":"2026-04-22T21:00:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T01:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vr-news.net\/?p=3325"},"modified":"2026-04-22T21:00:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T01:00:18","slug":"data-center-growth-threatens-air-quality-and-progress-toward-cleaner-energy-grid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vr-news.net\/?p=3325","title":{"rendered":"Data center growth threatens air quality and progress toward cleaner energy grid"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Despite the rapid growth<\/a> of renewable energy usage in recent years, the even-more-explosive growth of data centers is delaying the transition to a cleaner grid in ways that could harm the air we breathe. That\u2019s according to new research released for Earth Day on Wednesday by Frontier Group, Environment America Research & Policy Center and U.S. PIRG Education Fund. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great that renewable energy is growing rapidly, but we also need to be transitioning away from dirty energy sources. We can’t afford to lose ground on that front,\u201d said Johanna Neumann<\/a>, senior director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America Research & Policy Center.<\/strong> \u201cPollution from fossil fuels harms our kids\u2019 lungs and dangerously heats up our planet. We need to get our priorities straight. A healthy, safe environment is essential for a good quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n

The research, building on new government data<\/a>, tracks a dramatic slowdown in the previously accelerating pace of coal plant retirements as utilities respond to rising electricity demand from data centers and other sources. Compared to 2022, when the country was retiring power plants at a pace that would lead to a coal-free grid by 2040, the current pace of plant retirements would keep some of our dirtiest ones online until 2065. Power generation from coal-fired power plants increased by 13%<\/a> in 2025 as U.S. electricity generation hit an all-time record<\/a>. <\/p>\n