Data centers need vast amounts of energy to fuel servers and process the information that keeps our websites, applications and generative AI models running.

The United States has more data centers than anywhere else in the world and the extra energy demand is straining transmission grids and driving up the cost of electricity. Struggling grid operators are turning to polluting fossil fuels to quickly supply the power. In some cases, they are considering nuclear energy, or even bringing back oil, gas and coal power plants that had been slated for closure.

According to recent analysis by Reuters, the country's biggest power grid postponed or canceled the planned closure of 60% of its fossil fuel plants last year.…