Windy with periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low around 55F. Winds S at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch..
Windy with periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low around 55F. Winds S at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch.
Updated: December 24, 2025 @ 4:58 pm
Editor,
According to the International Energy Agency, data centers may use twice as much energy by 2026 as they did two years ago. By the end of the decade, AI data centers could consume as much as a quarter of all electricity in the United States. Today, that’s only 4%.
If AI-fueled energy use follows these projections, we’re going to need heaps of renewable energy quickly. Using preexisting infrastructure to harness the power of geothermal energy may be the solution.
Geothermal energy ticks all the boxes: it’s carbon-free, cost effective, reliable and, most importantly, has not garnered the same level of scorn by President Donald Trump as wind and solar energy have. If we want a clean energy source to power the AI-boom, one that could attract bipartisan federal support, we must look to geothermal.
Already, lawmakers are taking an interest in the energy source. Assemblymember Diane Papan, who introduced me to geothermal at Citizens Climate Lobby’s climate rally last fall, helped support three new bills in the state legislature to fast track geothermal energy solutions. Assembly Bill 531, which was signed by the governor Oct. 6, is an exemplar — geothermal projects now face a streamlined approval process under California’s Environment Quality Act.
If Americans want to keep using ChatGPT for advice, generating infographics with Nano Banana Pro, or enjoying AI videos on Sora, we need to harness geothermal energy to power data centers. Other states’ legislatures and Congress should look to California and Assemblymember Papan for inspiration.
Shai Ring
Burlingame
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(1) comment
Shai - Calpine already runs 14 geothermal plants at the Geysers with a total capacity of 750 megawatts. To place this into context, just one of PG&E's Diablo Canyon has a capacity of 1100 megawatts. Geothermal energy is a valuable resource, will be expanded, and will continue to be part of our energy supply mix. Ms. Papan is not revealing anything new. The Geysers have been in operation for 65 years and were previously run by PG&E. I am surprised, or many be not, that our politicians have finally caught up and use this knowledge to further their political positions.
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