The rapid growth of data centers used for artificial intelligence is creating a conflict between the increasing need for electricity and state laws aimed at protecting the climate.

用於人工智慧的數據中心快速成長，導致電力需求增加與旨在保護氣候的州法律之間產生衝突。

The growth of massive data centers has caused a surge in electricity demand that is growing faster than renewable energy sources. Consequently, more natural gas power plants are being built, and some old coal plants are staying open longer. To address this, several U.S. states have introduced new rules to reduce carbon emissions. For example, Michigan, Oregon, and Minnesota have passed laws to keep their 2040 clean energy goals, while New York is considering rules that would require large data centers to use a significant amount of renewable energy by 2030 and 2040.

大型數據中心的成長導致電力需求激增，且增長速度快於可再生能源。因此，更多的天然氣電廠正在興建，部分舊的燃煤電廠也延長了運行時間。為了應對此問題，美國幾個州引入了新規定以減少碳排放。例如，密西根州、俄勒岡州和明尼蘇達州通過了法律以維持其 2040 年的清潔能源目標，而紐約州則在考慮要求大型數據中心在 2030 年和 2040 年前使用大量可再生能源的規定。

At the same time, technology companies and utility providers are working more closely together. To avoid the limits of the current power grid, companies like Google are negotiating deals to build their own zero-emissions projects, such as geothermal and nuclear energy. These agreements allow utilities to gain long-term income and expand their infrastructure without spending their own money immediately on power generation.

與此同時，科技公司與公用事業供應商的合作更加緊密。為了避開現有電網的限制，像 Google 這樣的公司正洽談建立自己的零排放項目，例如地熱能與核能。這些協議讓公用事業公司能夠獲得長期收入，且無需立即自費投資發電即可擴展其基礎設施。

However, these facilities still cause local problems. In Northern Virginia, the use of diesel backup generators during times of high demand has led to air pollution and noise. While these programs help keep the power grid stable during extreme weather, critics argue that relying on old fuels is problematic. On the other hand, the financial impact on local governments has been positive, as areas like Loudoun County have seen a large increase in tax revenue from these data centers.

然而，這些設施仍會造成局部問題。在北維吉尼亞，需求高峰期間使用柴油備用發電機導致了空氣污染與噪音。雖然這些計劃有助於電網在極端天氣下保持穩定，但批評者認為依賴舊燃料是有問題的。另一方面，對地方政府的財務影響則是正面的，如勞登郡等地區從這些數據中心獲得了大幅增加的稅收。

The energy sector is currently trying to find a balance between the immediate power needs of AI and the long-term goals of reducing carbon emissions and protecting the local environment.

能源部門目前正試圖在 AI 的即時電力需求與減少碳排放及保護當地環境的長期目標之間尋找平衡。