Is ‘Net Zero’ Collapsing in the US?
Is Net Zero collapsing in the US because of cuts in Net Zero subsidies and the rising demand for electricity from AI data centres.
In this video the Google bots (with a bit of help from myself) discuss Steve Goreham's recent article in Master Resource titled ‘Net Zero’ Is Collapsing in U.S. States.
Overview
Steve describes the challenges and potential collapse of "Net Zero" electricity goals across various US states. He highlights how ambitious targets for 100% renewable energy are facing significant hurdles due to federal funding cuts for wind and solar projects, exemplified by new legislation and executive orders impacting offshore wind.
A major factor disrupting these plans is the exponential increase in electricity demand driven by the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. Data centres are projected to consume a vast percentage of the nation's power and are resorting to building their own gas-fired power plants - a move called BYOP or Bring Your Own Power!
Furthermore, he points to the unreliability and high cost of grid-scale batteries, citing numerous fires and their inability to sufficiently back up intermittent renewable sources. This confluence of factors is forcing states to re-evaluate their energy policies, with a resurgence in natural gas power plant construction and postponed closures of existing coal facilities.
His conclusion is stark, suggesting that the net zero transition, which has been underway for over a decade, is now hitting major roadblocks and that “States will be forced to return to sensible energy policy”. We must be facing the same dilemma here in the UK but our government under Ed Miliband’s inspiring leadership, seems to be ploughing on regardless. The question is - for how long?
Thanks
Hat tip to Paul Homewood for drawing my attention to this article.