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US Emissions Surge 2.4% in 2025, Reversing Trend
13 Jan
Summary
- US fossil fuel emissions rose 2.4% in 2025, ending pollution reduction.
- Cool winter and data center growth fueled the surprising emissions increase.
- Renewable energy still cost-competitive despite policy shifts.
Greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. fossil fuel consumption rose by 2.4% in 2025, marking a significant reversal after years of decline. This increase, detailed in a recent study, is attributed to a cold winter demanding more heating fuel and a substantial jump in electricity consumption by data centers and cryptocurrency operations.
The shift occurred as pollution growth outpaced economic activity, a departure from recent trends where cleaner energy efforts decoupled these factors. A 13% increase in coal power generation, driven partly by higher natural gas prices, also contributed to the rise in emissions.
While recent environmental policy rollbacks are not yet significant factors, their impact may be seen in future years. Meanwhile, solar power saw a remarkable 34% increase, and zero-carbon sources now supply 42% of U.S. energy, demonstrating the continued economic strength of renewables.
