Nevada likely to fall short of clean energy goals because of data centers

Nevada is likely to fall short of its clean energy goals due to the surge in demand for power from data centers looking to operate in the state. NV Energy, the state's utility, predicts it will need 47% more energy than previously forecast to meet the needs of data centers and other large-scale customers. To cope, NV Energy wants to rely more on natural gas, which is less polluting than coal but not renewable. While there is no law requiring it, NV Energy requires data center developers to fund their own infrastructure and energy needs. However, coupled with federal policy changes slowing renewable energy development, the sudden surge in demand means NV Energy could fail to meet the state's clean energy goals as soon as next year. Nevada lawmakers and regulators are getting involved to address the issue, and there are concerns about the potential impact on utility bills for Nevada families.