Cold weather and the surge in data center and cryptocurrency power demands have led to a 2.4% increase in US greenhouse gas emissions, marking the first rise in three years, according to a recent analysis. The data reveals that homes burned more gas for heating, and coal use surged by 13% to meet rising electricity demands. Despite a 34% growth in solar power, the overall emissions increase outpaced economic growth. The Trump administration's policies are not considered the primary cause of this rise, but experts predict a shift in the coming years. The colder regions of the US saw a 7% increase in fuel consumption due to low temperatures. The boom in data centers and cryptocurrency mining in Texas and the Ohio Valley region also contributed to the higher power demand. The rising gas prices and increased demand for power led to a 13% surge in US coal use. This contrasts with India and China, where coal use for electricity dropped due to increased wind and solar energy. Michael Gaffney from Rhodium Group attributes the fuel switching to higher natural gas prices. Jesse Lee from Climate Power links the high gas prices to large gas exports and the support for AI and data centers. The US coal power generation has shrunk by 64% since 2007, with last year's rise being the second in a decade. The slowdown in coal plant retirements is also noted. Experts debate whether 2025 marks the revival of coal, with Gaffney suggesting it's a response to growing demand. Solar power experienced a 34% growth in the US, the fastest rate since 2017. Transport emissions remained flat due to the rise of hybrid and electric vehicles, with hybrids showing a 25% growth. The analysis questions the impact of Trump's policies, with some attributing the data center explosion to broader factors.
