---
title: "US Sees Surge in Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Development"
url: https://noti.group/us-sees-surge-in-fossil-fuel-infrastructure-development/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "Technology"
published: 2026-10-19T21:48:01.000Z
updated: 2026-10-19T22:40:18.556Z
id: e7fe18ba-5596-4278-be39-aad737772e02
source: "The Verge https://www.theverge.com/science/1013954/fossil-fuel-power-infrastructure-data-centers-report"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/us-sees-surge-in-fossil-fuel-infrastructure-development/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# US Sees Surge in Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Development

A recent report highlights a surge in fossil fuel infrastructure development in the US, driven by increasing electricity demand and efforts to revive the industry's fortunes.

A surge in fossil fuel infrastructure development is underway in the US, with more projects being built than in any decade over the past ten years, according to a recent report by the Environmental Defense Fund and Atlas Public Policy.

The growth in electricity demand is also accelerating rapidly, driven by an increasing number of data centers, factories, and electric vehicles connecting to the grid. This trend has been particularly pronounced over the past year, with electricity consumption rising at its fastest pace in more than a decade.

The report highlights a notable shift in energy policy under the Trump administration, which has taken steps to favor fossil fuels over renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.

As a result of these developments, the US energy landscape is undergoing significant changes, with decisions made today set to have far-reaching implications for the country's electricity supply.

The pace at which renewable energy sources are gaining traction is undeniable, as evidenced by a recent milestone where wind and solar power combined generated more electricity than coal for the first time in 2024.

Solar energy has emerged as the leading source of new electricity generation, accounting for 81 percent of added capacity last year. This growth can be attributed to its relatively low costs, making it an increasingly attractive option for investors and developers.

Globally, solar power has become the cheapest form of energy production in most regions, a trend that is expected to continue as technology advances and economies of scale improve.

The shift towards fossil fuels, however, is gaining momentum, driven by efforts to revive the industry's fortunes. Plans for new gas-fired power plants are on the rise, with a significant increase in proposals from just 5 percent of all new capacity in 2024 to 30 percent by the second quarter of 2026.

The trend of increasing fossil fuel development plans is expected to continue, potentially reaching 70 percent of all capacity by the end of the decade.

This growth in planned fossil capacity is significant, with projections suggesting it will reach 68 gigawatts by 2030 - a 45 percent increase from just six months ago. The majority of these new projects are focused on gas-fired power plants, which have seen a substantial surge in proposals. In fact, plans for new gas-fired power plants now account for 30 percent of all new capacity.

Despite the growth in fossil fuel development, many of these plans may still be subject to change. Forecasts for AI data center energy demand are high, and if they are overestimated, it could lead to a decrease in planned fossil fuel projects. Additionally, gas-fired power plants face challenges such as increasing price volatility, which has been exacerbated by the US's involvement in war with Iran.

The use of fossil fuels also comes with environmental costs, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. As utilities upgrade their grids and build new energy infrastructure to meet rising demand, electricity bills have risen across the nation, further highlighting the need for sustainable energy solutions.

---
Source: [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/science/1013954/fossil-fuel-power-infrastructure-data-centers-report)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/us-sees-surge-in-fossil-fuel-infrastructure-development/