Sierra Club warns US data center expansion could drive 42% surge in power-sector emissions by 2030
Environmental group projects AI infrastructure growth will reverse 15 years of climate gains, with gas turbine shortages exacerbating supply pressures.
According to TechRadar, the US environmental organization Sierra Club has released a new assessment warning that planned data centers supporting artificial intelligence infrastructure could lead to a sharp rise in carbon dioxide emissions from the American power sector. The group estimates that CO2 emissions linked to this expansion could exceed 460 million metric tons by 2030, a figure equivalent to Mexico's total annual carbon dioxide emissions.
The report indicates that such growth would push US power-sector emissions 42% above 2025 levels, effectively reversing fifteen years of progress in greenhouse gas reduction. Currently, approximately 40% of American data centers rely on gas turbines for electricity, while renewable energy additions are struggling to keep pace with rapidly increasing consumption.
Beyond environmental concerns, supply chain bottlenecks add further uncertainty. Gas turbine prices have risen by 50%, and manufacturers face production backlogs extending several years, with some equipment reservations reportedly scheduled for delivery in 2032. These constraints may encourage developers to retain fossil fuel generation rather than wait for cleaner alternatives. Additionally, financial uncertainty among hyperscalers regarding investment returns could lead to postponed or abandoned projects, leaving the ultimate environmental impact variable.