Big data centers have created a massive surge in energy demand, putting our climate goals at serious risk. Many Big Tech companies claim to be climate leaders, yet their data centers are driving utilities to build gas-fired power plants and extend the lives of dirty coal plants. Without a change in course, today’s data centers will drive pollution for decades to come.
With the explosive growth of data centers, big energy users must be held accountable for a 100% clean energy future.
Corporate energy buyers can help us transition to clean energy in a way that benefits everyone, but that will only happen if they demand it!
Make your voice heard to hold big energy users accountable by leaving a personal message about why you want big energy users to demand clean energy.
Help us push Big Tech to demand better from their utilities and make our electric grids cleaner, now. Tell us what you want from big energy users.
- Ask technology companies to demand that their utilities commit to no new gas and zero delayed coal plant retirements.
- Ask technology companies to meet their climate pledges now by demanding local, additional clean energy around the clock.
- Remind technology companies that we expect better - that the future they promise needs real action to leave us a livable planet.
Sample comment: As a customer of [utility company] I’ve fought to get cleaner energy, and now I need you to fight for that clean energy too.
Note: Sierra Club and partners published an open letter to technology companies. The following citations substantiate statements in that letter.
- “In just the last two years alone, your companies have built data centers throughout the United States capable of consuming more electricity than four million American homes.” Data from 451 Research, part of S&P Global Market Intelligence, "Datacenter KnowledgeBase" as of June 2025 for operational data centers built 2023 & 2024 in the United States. Statement assumes 85% load factor for operations. Average residential consumption of 10,500 kWh/yr from EIA, 2023.
- “Within five years, your data centers alone will use more electricity than 22 million households, rivaling the consumption of multiple mid-size states.” Data from 451 Research, part of S&P Global Market Intelligence, "Datacenter KnowledgeBase" as of June 2025 for operational and planned data centers built through 2030 in the United States.
- “The rapid expansion of data centers is driving a new rush of fossil fuel power plants, and keeping expensive, dirty coal plants online longer.” See e.g. Demanding Better. September 2024. Sierra Club.
- “...President Trump used your data centers to justify an “energy emergency,” promoting pollution while cutting the renewable energy you’ve said you want.” See Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency, January 20, 2025. Section 7. See also Executive Order Reinvigorating Coal, April 8, 2025, reading “...coal resources will be critical to meeting the rise in electricity demand due to the resurgence of domestic manufacturing and the construction of artificial intelligence data processing centers.”