U.S. greenhouse gas emissions rise in 2025 as cold winter and data centres boost fossil fuel use
A cold 2025 winter, surging data‑center demand and higher natural gas prices drove a 2.4% rise in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, reversing recent yearly declines.
Overview
Rhodium Group estimates U.S. greenhouse gas emissions rose 2.4% in 2025, about 139 million tons of CO2-equivalent more than 2024.
A very cold early 2025 increased home heating demand nearly 7%, raising use of natural gas and fuel oil and boosting overall emissions from buildings.
Explosive growth of data centres and cryptocurrency mining drove electricity demand, prompting utilities to burn 13% more coal amid higher natural gas prices.
Solar generation surged 34% last year, overtaking hydroelectric; zero-carbon sources supplied 42% of U.S. power, partially offsetting fossil fuel increases.
Researchers say Trump-era policy rollbacks had minimal effect in 2025, but warn future policy changes and sustained data centre growth could increase emissions further.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the emissions increase as alarming and policy‑relevant, emphasizing the Rhodium study and climate experts’ warnings while framing administration rollbacks as potential future drivers. They foreground technical causes (cold winter, data centers, gas prices), amplify critical voices, and organize details to underscore long‑term risks despite noting short‑term limits.
Sources (4)
FAQ
A cold winter increased heating demand by nearly 7%, boosting natural gas and fuel oil use; surging data center and cryptocurrency mining demand led to 13% more coal burning due to high natural gas prices.
Emissions rose by 2.4%, equivalent to about 139 million tons of CO2-equivalent more than 2024.
Solar generation surged 34%, overtaking hydroelectric power, with zero-carbon sources supplying 42% of U.S. electricity, partially offsetting fossil fuel increases.
No, policy rollbacks had minimal effect in 2025 as they were only implemented that year.
Sustained data center growth and potential future policy changes favoring fossil fuels could drive emissions higher.
History
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