The Heartland Institute, known for its climate change skepticism, has shifted focus to actively promote coal and other fossil fuels as key energy sources for powering the burgeoning data center industry. This move comes amid increasing electricity demands driven by artificial intelligence systems and cryptocurrency mining.
At a recent conference tied to the American Legislative Exchange Council, Heartland’s president dismissed the existence of a climate crisis and advocated for the revival of coal power. Their pitch targets tech companies, urging them to rely on coal-fired energy to run massive data centers—facilities that require enormous amounts of stable electricity to support AI training and operations.
This advocacy marks a notable turnaround in Heartland’s strategy. While the organization previously criticized big tech over alleged political biases, it now aligns with energy producers seeking to reestablish coal’s role. Documents obtained by investigative outlets reveal that Heartland framed coal as a necessary component in meeting the growing power demands of digital infrastructure, despite environmental concerns.
Though major technology companies have largely avoided coal due to its heavy pollution, the surge in data center energy consumption coupled with shifting government policies has rekindled interest in coal power projects. One example is a proposed 1.25 gigawatt coal-fired plant in Alaska, which would be the first new coal plant built in the U.S. since 2013 if approved and constructed.
The federal government has also played a role in promoting coal’s comeback. Under the prior administration, the Department of Energy took multiple actions to support utilities in maintaining or restarting coal plants, emphasizing energy reliability over environmental regulations. This approach aligns with the push by organizations like Heartland to rebrand coal as essential for future technological growth.