President Trump has taken a controversial stance on energy sources, urging tech companies to utilize coal power for their data centers. This proposal, outlined through executive orders and meetings with industry leaders, could significantly impact the sustainability goals of the technology sector. While some tech industry leaders acknowledge they require fossil fuels to meet energy demands, others are shifting towards renewable sources like natural gas for a more sustainable approach. 16% of US electricity in 2023 came from coal – down dramatically from 51% in 2001 – but Trump’s push for expanded coal use could disrupt this trend and potentially benefit the beleaguered coal industry. Experts, including James Grech, CEO of Peabody Energy, argue that coal plants can meet national electricity demands and advocate for their revitalization. However, some tech executives are hesitant about relying on coal, acknowledging it as a potential short-term solution but emphasizing the importance of renewable sources like natural gas. Amazon’s vice president of global data centers, Kevin Miller, states his reliance on thermal generation in the near future, highlighting the need for diverse energy sources. Despite Trump’s push, some tech executives have acknowledged their need for fossil fuels to power AI data centers, but are increasingly leaning towards more sustainable alternatives like natural gas. The potential shift towards coal power is further complicated by Trump’s ambitious plans to build a massive data center in Abu Dhabi with the UAE. This endeavor will serve as a regional hub for US hyperscalers and aims to provide low-latency services to a significant portion of the global population, raising questions about the environmental impact of the project.