Edward Smith, edward.smith@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C. - Today, the Associated Press reported on President-elect Trump celebrating plans by an Emirati billionaire, and an ally of the Trump family, to invest in data centers that will prolong America’s reliance on fossil fuels and increase pollution.
By the end of the decade, data centers are expected to increase global emissions by “2.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions globally,” according to Morgan Stanley. Meanwhile, a Jack Kemp Foundation report predicts that utility bills could go up as much as 70 percent for American families due to data center developments by 2029. Last September, the Sierra Club laid out a framework for how to meet data center demand with 24/7 clean energy, and is working to protect residential ratepayers from cost increases associated with data center demands throughout the country.
Statement from Laurie Williams, Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign
“Selling out our health and communities to the highest bidder is not an economic plan, it is a plan to make the rich richer. Trump’s plan to rush the buildout of data centers by circumventing environmental rules will increase utility costs for hardworking families while driving emissions that increase the impact of catastrophic storms that cripple communities and economic productivity. Existing and new demand for electricity must be met with clean energy in order to drive down emissions and grow our nation's economy for everyone, not just line the pockets of Trump’s billionaire buddies.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.