As deputy managing attorney in Earthjustice’s Clean Energy Program, Mandy DeRoche has been litigating cases related to cryptocurrency and data centers since 2020.

What is “load growth”?

Load growth is an increase in the consumption of electricity — the “load” on the power grid.

Load forecasts have spiked, largely due to planned data centers for generative AI and cryptocurrency mining, as well as from manufacturing and electrification. One data center for generative AI can use as much electricity as a small city.

Why does it matter for the environment?

Utilities are proposing to meet the projected increase in demand by building new gas plants and keeping old fossil plants in operation.

• More gas and coal plants mean more air, water, and climate pollution — likely for decades.
• Plus, communities can be affected by air and noise pollution from data centers themselves.

Do we know how much demand will actually increase?

The current forecasts are through the roof, but they’re changing all the time.

Sometimes a company applies to build the same data center in multiple jurisdictions to see where they can get the best deal. Only one facility will be built, but that proposed electricity demand is being double- or triple-counted, or more.

Meanwhile, fossil fuel interests are using these questionable numbers as evidence to argue for gas and coal.

What is Earthjustice doing?

What we’re good at! This is a new threat, but it’s still energy law, and the legal tools and venues we’ve been using for decades can be used here, too.

• We’re intervening in PUC proceedings about applications for new gas plants, long-term grid planning, and proposals to increase utility rates to pay for new infrastructure.
• We’re making sure that technology can scale up sustainably and responsibly, not by using outdated power that will make us sick and drive up energy rates.
• And on the local level, we’re supporting communities fighting polluting facilities.