Monthly Analysis

AI Data Center Demand Skyrocketing

Featured Commentary

AI-driven electricity demand continued to climb in November, with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin noting that data centers supporting artificial intelligence could consume nearly 10 percent of U.S. power within the next decade, up from 3 to 4 percent today. This surge is already shaping investment decisions, including Google’s recent 40 billion dollar commitment to build new data centers in Texas by 2027. To support this growth, utilities are evaluating how to secure enough reliable capacity, and some older coal-fired plants are being modernized or kept online to provide the steady baseload power required for large, always-on digital infrastructure. [2][3][4]

AI-driven electricity demand continued to climb in November, with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin noting that data centers supporting artificial intelligence could consume nearly 10 percent of U.S. power within the next decade, up from 3 to 4 percent today. This surge is already shaping investment decisions, including Google’s recent 40 billion dollar commitment to build new data centers in Texas by 2027. To support this growth, utilities are evaluating how to secure enough reliable capacity, and some older coal-fired plants are being modernized or kept online to provide the steady baseload power required for large, always-on digital infrastructure. [2][3][4]

U.S. Government Shutdown

Industry Analysis

The temporary federal shutdown in November introduced uncertainty for agencies involved in permitting, environmental reviews, and energy infrastructure planning. While essential operations continued, delays in regulatory processes highlighted the importance of maintaining stable federal capacity to support long-term energy reliability and project timelines across all sectors, including coal. [1]

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— Matt Mackowiak,
Director Government Affairs

Early Winter Storms

Industry Analysis

Early winter storms in November intensified concerns about grid reliability as cold weather pushed electricity demand higher across multiple regions. NERC reported that winter peak demand is rising faster than new capacity additions, increasing the risk of shortfalls if extreme cold limits fuel supplies or reduces output from wind and solar. The storms reinforced the need for dependable, on-demand generation to maintain stability when weather-driven stress hits the grid. [5][6]

Renewable Energy Project Cancellations

Industry Analysis

The renewable sector saw significant disruption in November as more than 24 billion dollars in clean-energy manufacturing and project investments were canceled or paused following federal funding cuts and the rollback of key incentives. Developers reported increased uncertainty around long-term policy support, leading several solar, wind, battery, and EV-related projects to be shelved as companies reassessed costs, timelines, and market conditions. [7]

Core Natural Resources believes….. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

— Jaqueline Fidler,                       
Vice President, Environmental & Sustainability