As electricity demand surges due to Big Tech's increasing needs for cloud computing and AI applications, retired and retiring coal-fired power plant sites in the U.S. are gaining newfound value. These sites offer existing high-voltage grid connections, making them ideal locations for rapid conversion to other forms of energy generation such as natural gas, nuclear, solar, or battery storage. For instance, in Homer City, Pennsylvania, a $10 billion natural gas-powered data center campus is planned, raising hopes for local revitalization. These conversions not only address the power demands but also hold promise for revitalizing communities hit hard by the coal industry's decline by offering new jobs and economic opportunity. 

source: Associated Press