On Point | Podcast How will we power the AI boom?
Feb 13, 2025
Evan Helper, a business reporter at The Washington Post focused on energy transitions, joins Amy Myers Jaffe, director at NYU’s Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab. They delve into the staggering energy demands of AI, likening a single query to powering a lightbulb for 20 minutes. The duo discusses the conflict between AI’s growth and reliance on fossil fuels, highlights escalating emissions from tech giants, and debates the community challenges around renewable energy integration versus traditional sources. They also explore innovative solutions for balancing energy needs with ecological commitments.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Omaha Coal Plant
- Omaha's coal plant was supposed to shut down, but Meta and Google's data centers overwhelmed the power grid.
- This forced a delay in the closure, impacting the health of a low-income, minority community.
Rising Emissions
- Tech companies' emissions are rising despite their commitments to reduce greenhouse gasses.
- Their increasing reliance on fossil fuels contradicts their net-zero goals.
Fossil Fuels Not Faster
- Bringing new natural gas plants online takes 5 years, similar to the timeline for new solar with permitting and transmission.
- Existing natural gas plants offer faster solutions due to pre-existing infrastructure and grid connections.