US Power Emissions Rise 4% in 2025 as Coal Generation Jumps 13% to Meet Heat and Data Center Demand
carbonherald.comUS power sector CO2 emissions rose 4% in 2025, adding 58 million metric tons, according to a new EIA report. The increase was driven by a 13% jump in coal generation as record heatwaves, data center expansion, and industrial growth pushed total electricity generation to a new all-time high. Natural gas generation fell 4%, while solar output grew 34% and wind rose 3%, but those gains were not enough to offset the coal rebound. Overall US energy-related emissions climbed 2% year over year, an increase of roughly 115 million metric tons. Emissions in transportation and industrial sectors stayed nearly flat due to efficiency gains and fuel switching. The data shows that rapid renewable capacity additions alone may not prevent emissions spikes during periods of extreme demand, especially when coal plants are called back online to meet peak loads.