随着人工智能引发的巨大能源需求促使化石燃料产业复苏，环保倡导者和企业正努力确保大型数据中心采用清洁能源。尽管风能和太阳能的建设速度相对滞后，各州立法者已通过新法案要求数据中心满足可再生基准 [1]。与此同时，科技巨头则通过投资零排放项目和游说监管机构来扩大电网接入权限 [1]。
在政策层面，纽约州众议员 Kristen Gonzalez 提出了一项法案，规定大型数据中心须从 2030 年起满足可再生能源使用基准，并计划在 2040 年使其至少 90% 的能源来自可再生能源 [1]。密歇根、俄勒冈和明尼苏达州在过去 18 个月内通过了相关法律，以保护其到 2040 年实现电力公用事业零排放的目标 [1]。其中，密歇根州特别要求超大型数据中心在六年内满足 90% 的清洁能源使用要求，方可获得销售税豁免资格 [1]。
在企业行动方面，Xcel Energy 同意创建项目，允许大型用户建设可连接到电网的清洁能源设施 [1]。Google 与 NV Energy 达成协议，在内华达州连接了 115 兆瓦的地热能源，并在明尼苏达州连接了 1,900 兆瓦的风能、太阳能和电池存储系统 [1]。
The surge in artificial intelligence is driving a renewed reliance on fossil fuels as data centers consume massive amounts of electricity. Environmental advocates and businesses are now pushing to ensure these facilities utilize clean energy sources [1]. While the construction of wind and solar projects has lagged behind demand, state legislators have introduced new legislation requiring data centers to meet renewable benchmarks [1]. Simultaneously, major technology companies are expanding their grid access rights through lobbying efforts and investing in zero-emission initiatives [1].
New York State Representative Kristen Gonzalez proposed a bill mandating that large-scale data centers meet renewable energy standards starting in 2030, with at least 90% of their power coming from renewables by 2040 [1]. In the past 18 months, Michigan, Oregon, and Minnesota passed laws protecting their goals to achieve zero emissions for utility providers by 2040 [1]. Specifically, Michigan requires ultra-large data centers to meet a 90% clean energy requirement within six years in exchange for sales tax exemptions [1].
Utility companies are also adapting; Xcel Energy agreed to create projects allowing large users to build and connect their own clean energy resources to the grid [1]. Google has reached an agreement with NV Energy, connecting 115 megawatts of geothermal power in Nevada [1]. Additionally, Google connected 1,900 megawatts of wind, solar, and battery storage capacity in Minnesota through this partnership [1].