Connect | New York // DCD>Debate: Power politics: How dirty is the U.S. energy mix?

Go to the 2027 site
  • —
  • Energy & Sustainability
  • Open Session

Speakers

Megan Baker

Vice President, Engagement, Green Building Initiative

Soumya Anantharaman

Director, Climate and Decarbonization, JLL

Hui Wen Chan

Senior Director, Sustainability, Crusoe Energy

John Clinger

Director - Energy & Data Centers Solutions, ICF

Yuval Bachar

CEO, EdgeCloudLink (ECL)

With AI-scale demand surging and government priorities shifting away from sustainability, data centers stand at a crossroads: take the quick path to power, or the responsible one - which comes with greater uncertainty. Gas delivers megawatts quickly, but at the cost of emissions and reputation. Renewables struggle with cost, intermittency and grid integration, whilst the promise of SMRs and hydrogen are still too far out to count. This debate will examine whether the U.S. can expand digital infrastructure at speed without deepening its carbon footprint.

This debate will address:

  • How shifting state and federal policies are affecting the U.S. energy landscape
  • The trade-offs between reliability, reputation and emissions in power procurement
  • What are the options for renewables that deliver a cleaner baseload?
  • Is natural gas the only bridge fuel for US data centers?
  • Will speed trump sustainability as we look to meet demand for AI?