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At least 15 coal plants in the U.S. have indefinitely delayed their retirements due to rising electricity demand from data centers, particularly those related to artificial intelligence. The U.S. Department of Energy has intervened to keep these facilities operational despite their significant carbon emissions, which in 2024 exceeded those of several states combined. Southern Company has announced extended retirement timelines for major coal plants in Georgia and Mississippi, now aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.