The extension of the operation of a coal power plant in North Omaha ( USA ) due to the growing energy needs of Google and Meta (recognized as extremist in Russia and banned) data centers has put the achievements of local environmentalists at risk, The Washington Post (WP) reports .
Residents of North Omaha, Nebraska, are facing challenges in improving their air quality due to a decision to extend the life of a local coal-fired power plant. The plant was originally scheduled to close by 2023, but increased power demands from nearby Google and Meta data centers have led to a change in plans.
The growth of data centers, fueled by the need for more powerful AI resources, has led to a significant increase in energy demand in the region. The Omaha Public Power District has expressed concerns that shutting down the coal units could “destabilize the region’s power grid.” Critics point to the data centers’ own energy overuse as a major obstacle to shutting down the coal plant.
Similar problems are being noted in other parts of the United States as artificial intelligence technologies spread.
Earlier, an analyst told whether a total blocking of Google accounts is possible.