AI needs many big computers. These computers use a lot of electricity. This creates problems for the environment.

AI 需要許多大型電腦。這些電腦耗電量很大，對環境造成了問題。

AI computers need more power than wind and sun energy can give. Now, some places use gas and coal again. Some states like Michigan and Oregon make new laws. They want clean energy by 2040.

AI 電腦所需的電力，超過了風能與太陽能所能提供的量。現在，有些地方重新開始使用天然氣與煤炭。像密西根州與奧勒岡州等州分定了新法律，希望在 2040 年前實現清潔能源。

Big companies like Google want to help. They make their own clean energy from heat in the earth and nuclear power. They share this power with the city.

像 Google 這樣的大公司也想幫忙。他們利用地熱與核能來製造自己的清潔能源，並將這些電力分享給城市。

Some computers use old diesel engines for extra power. These engines make noise and dirty air. But these computers also give a lot of tax money to local towns.

有些電腦使用舊的柴油發電機來提供額外電力。這些引擎會產生噪音並污染空氣。但這些電腦也為當地城鎮帶來了大量的稅收。

The world needs AI, but it also needs a clean planet. Leaders must find a way to do both.

世界需要 AI，但同時也需要一個乾淨的地球。領導者必須找到一個能兼顧兩者的方法。

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。

The rapid expansion of data centers to support artificial intelligence is creating significant tension between escalating energy requirements and state-level climate mandates.

為了支持人工智慧而快速擴展的數據中心，正導致不斷攀升的能源需求與州級氣候指令之間產生顯著緊張關係。

The proliferation of hyperscale data centers has precipitated a surge in electricity demand that exceeds the current deployment rate of renewable energy infrastructure. Consequently, there has been a measurable increase in the construction of natural gas-fired power plants and the extension of the operational lifespans of coal-fired facilities. In response, several U.S. jurisdictions have implemented regulatory frameworks to mitigate carbon emissions. Michigan, Oregon, and Minnesota have enacted legislation to preserve emissions-free energy targets for 2040, while New York considers mandates requiring substantial renewable energy procurement for large-scale data facilities by 2030 and 2040.

超大規模數據中心的激增導致電力需求飆升，超過了目前可再生能源基礎設施的部署速度。因此，天然氣發電廠的建設明顯增加，且燃煤設施的運作壽命得到延長。為了回應這一點，美國多個司法管區實施了監管框架以減緩碳排放。密西根州、俄勒岡州與明尼蘇達州已通過立法以維持 2040 年的零排放能源目標，而紐約州則在考慮強制要求大型數據設施在 2030 年與 2040 年前採購大量可再生能源。

Parallel to legislative efforts, a strategic rapprochement is occurring between technology corporations and utility providers. To circumvent the limitations of existing grid capacities, entities such as Google and the Corporate Energy Buyers Association are negotiating agreements to develop independent zero-emissions projects—including geothermal and nuclear energy—that connect to the broader grid. These arrangements are designed to provide utilities with long-term revenue and infrastructure expansion without necessitating immediate capital expenditure for power generation.

與立法努力平行地，科技公司與電力供應商之間正進行戰略性的協調。為了規避現有電網容量的限制，Google 與企業能源買家協會（Corporate Energy Buyers Association）等實體正在洽談協議，以開發獨立的零排放項目（包括地熱能與核能）並連接至更廣泛的電網。這些安排旨在為電力公司提供長期收入與基礎設施擴張，而無需為發電立即投入資本支出。

However, the operational realities of these facilities continue to generate localized externalities. In regions such as Northern Virginia, the utilization of diesel backup generators during peak demand periods—often coordinated through PJM Interconnection's demand-response programs—has resulted in visible atmospheric emissions and noise pollution. While these programs are credited with maintaining grid stability during thermal extremes, they have prompted criticism regarding the reliance on antiquated fuel sources. Conversely, the fiscal impact on local governments has been positive, with jurisdictions like Loudoun County reporting significant tax revenue increases derived from data center operations.

然而，這些設施的運作現實持續產生局部外部性。在北維吉尼亞州等地區，於用電高峰期使用柴油備用發電機（通常透過 PJM 互連網絡的需求響應計畫協調），導致了明顯的大氣排放與噪音污染。雖然這些計畫被認為在極端氣溫期間維持了電網穩定，但卻引發了對於依賴過時燃料來源的批評。相反，對地方政府的財政影響則是正面的，如勞登縣報告指出數據中心營運帶來了顯著的稅收增加。

The energy sector is currently navigating a transition where the immediate power needs of AI infrastructure are being balanced against long-term decarbonization goals and local environmental concerns.

能源部門目前正處於一個轉型期，需在 AI 基礎設施的即時電力需求與長期去碳化目標及局部環境關注之間取得平衡。