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Revealed: Trump’s fossil-fuel donors to profit from data-center boom and green rollbacks

Apr 03, 2025 - theguardian.com
The article discusses how oil and gas companies, particularly Energy Transfer and EQT Corporation, are poised to benefit from the Trump administration's support for energy-intensive data centers and AI development. These companies, major donors to Trump's campaign, are leveraging regulatory rollbacks and incentives to expand their operations, potentially increasing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Energy Transfer has seen a significant rise in requests to power new data centers, while EQT is capitalizing on the anticipated increase in natural gas demand driven by AI and cryptocurrency mining. The fossil fuel industry's influence on the administration is highlighted by its role in shaping policies that prioritize fossil fuels over renewable energy, despite environmental concerns.

The article also touches on the broader implications of this trend, including the potential for increased energy demand and environmental degradation. It notes that the US is already home to a significant number of data centers, which consume large amounts of electricity and water. The Trump administration's focus on AI and data centers is seen as part of a strategy to outpace China, with significant investments planned in the sector. Critics argue that renewable energy would be a more sustainable choice for powering data centers, but the fossil fuel industry is using its influence to secure its position in the market.

Key takeaways:

  • Oil and gas companies, particularly Energy Transfer and EQT, are poised to benefit significantly from the Trump administration's support for AI and data centers, which are expected to increase demand for fossil fuels.
  • The expansion of data centers and AI under Trump's administration is leading to increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, undermining renewable energy efforts.
  • Trump's administration has rolled back numerous environmental regulations, benefiting fossil fuel companies and aligning with their interests in expanding operations and profits.
  • There is significant concern about the environmental impact and prioritization of fossil fuels over renewable energy, with critics arguing that renewable energy would be a more sensible choice for powering data centers.
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