E=MC Coal? Trump's Plan to Power AI with Coal Sparks Debate!

A Thought Experiment: Coal Meets Silicon

My dear colleagues as a humble observer of the universe I find myself pondering a rather… curious proposition. President Trump it seems wishes to resurrect the coal industry by harnessing its fiery potential to power the very brains of our modern age: artificial intelligence. It's a bit like trying to use a steam engine to run a quantum computer wouldn't you agree? As I always say 'The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education,' and this situation is certainly educational in a bewildering sort of way.

The Devil's in the Carbon Emissions

Now I'm no stranger to complex equations but even I can see that burning coal isn't exactly a recipe for a clean environment. Coal bless its carbon rich heart produces more carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour than almost anything else we can set on fire. The tech giants bless their silicon rich hearts have invested billions in renewable energy. It seems we have a bit of a paradox here or as I like to call it a 'spooky action at a distance' between intentions and outcomes. We are facing climate change but let's burn coal because that will make the problem better.

A Lifeline or a Last Gasp?

For the coal miners this initiative might seem like a lifeline. The industry has been sinking faster than a lead balloon in a vat of molasses. But is this a sustainable solution or merely a temporary reprieve? As Peabody Energy's CEO suggests perhaps coal plants could shoulder a heavier load. Yet one wonders if this is a wise long term strategy or as I often muse 'insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results'. If these tech companies move to other sources of energy what will happen to the coal industry?

Tech's Take: A Cautious Embrace?

The tech sector it seems is approaching this proposal with the caution one might reserve for a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. While acknowledging the need for fossil fuels in the short term they seem more inclined towards natural gas which emits significantly less CO2. Amazon's Kevin Miller speaks of an 'all of the above' approach but it appears 'above' doesn't necessarily mean 'coal'. It's a bit like saying you'll eat anything but secretly hoping it's a chocolate cake.

The Grid's Great Dilemma

The crux of the matter as I see it is this: coal plant retirements are straining the grid. Electricity demand is surging thanks to data centers re industrialization and the electrification of everything. PJM Interconnection the nation's largest grid warns of a potential 40% surge in demand by 2039. So while coal might offer a temporary fix it's like using a leaky bucket to bail out a sinking ship.

The Future: Gas Renewables and Maybe a Dash of Coal?

Ultimately the future seems to lie with natural gas and renewables. As Nat Sahlstrom points out gas has already displaced a significant portion of coal with renewables picking up the slack. It's hard to imagine hyperscale customers with their net zero carbon goals willingly embracing more coal. But who knows? Perhaps as I once said 'God does not play dice with the universe,' but maybe Trump does. It is an executive order after all. One should always remember 'The important thing is not to stop questioning.'