The largest grid operator in the United States announced it will temporarily cut power to large data centers starting next year to prevent blackouts, while the Trump administration has exempted the same facilities from pollution laws designed to curb acid rain, according to separate reports.
The grid operator, responsible for managing the electricity supply across a vast region, said the move is necessary to maintain grid stability amid soaring energy demand from data centers. The cuts would be implemented on a temporary basis during peak demand periods, though details on which facilities would be affected were not disclosed.
Separately, the Trump administration has granted data centers an exemption from pollution regulations intended to prevent acid rain. The exemption relaxes environmental rules that limit emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which can cause acid rain. Critics argue the policy prioritizes industry growth over environmental protection, while supporters say it supports the expansion of critical digital infrastructure.
The two developments highlight conflicting pressures on the U.S. energy and environmental policies as data center demand surges due to the growth of artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The grid operator's power-cut plan aims to avoid widespread blackouts, while the pollution exemption removes barriers to building more data centers, potentially increasing energy consumption and emissions.