AI Rush Adds Complexity to Making Power-Hungry Data Centers Eco-Friendly West Texas, known for energy wealth, is now a hotspot for data centers. Firms like Lancium aim to leverage nearby clean power sources for their centers. The rise of AI necessitates large data centers, posing sustainability challenges. Data centers demand massive energy, straining the power grid. Despite industry efforts to invest in renewables, demand outpaces supply. The rapid growth of data centers is putting pressure on the energy infrastructure. Efforts to improve efficiency and invest in renewable energy are underway, but challenges persist, including long lead times for critical equipment. Lawmakers are also pushing for environmental accountability in the data center industry, aiming to mandate sustainability goals and renewable energy usage.