The US is witnessing a resurgence in fossil fuel infrastructure, with new projects booming despite a surge in renewable energy growth. Data centers are driving up electricity demands, and the Trump administration's efforts to support fossil fuels are reshaping the energy landscape. If all planned gas projects are completed, they could significantly increase pollution and electricity costs.

The U.S. power sector is at a crossroads, with decisions made now affecting its future cost, reliability, and emissions. While renewables continue to gain ground, Trump’s second-term policies are pushing the pendulum back towards fossil fuels. New projects dominated by natural gas suggest a potential future where fossil fuels could make up 70% of the development pipeline by 2030.

Renewable energy projects are still outperforming fossil fuels in terms of cost, with new utility-scale solar and wind farms coming in at an average of $68 to $69 per megawatt-hour compared to $90 for gas plants. However, increased volatility in gas prices and the potential overestimation of AI data center energy demands cast a shadow over the future of these projects.

Despite the shift, the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuels, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, continue to be a concern. Rising electricity bills and the need to upgrade power grids are further stressing the economy and households.