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The time has finally come for geothermal energy

(www.newyorker.com)
160 points riordan | 3 comments | 17 Nov 25 13:55 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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1970-01-01 ◴[17 Nov 25 15:27 UTC] No.45954403[source]▶
It always has been. Our problem is switching over existing infrastructure without asinine complainers ruining the revolution. We can't even declare total victory with LED bulbs over incandescent. The war to have solar plants over more coal is falling back to coal thanks mostly to AI. Pushback on geothermal will arrive, I guarantee it.
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velcrovan ◴[17 Nov 25 15:35 UTC] No.45954490[source]▶
> falling back to coal thanks mostly to AI

citation needed

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1. driggs ◴[17 Nov 25 15:54 UTC] No.45954694[source]▶
There is an enormous push to build and power data centers in the DC / Northern Virginia region, and there's legislation in West Virginia right now requiring all coal-fired power plants to operate at at least 69% capacity at all times to support it.

> “West Virginia has numerous coal plants that have powered this country for decades. We need these plants to remain operational,” [WV Governor] Morrisey said. “… We will never turn our backs on our existing coal plants and we will work with the federal government to pursue new coal-fired generation.”

https://westvirginiawatch.com/2025/09/11/morrisey-shares-new...

https://wvpublic.org/story/energy-environment/data-center-bi...

https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?bil...

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2. dalyons ◴[17 Nov 25 16:07 UTC] No.45954859[source]▶
The only way new coal plants get built from today on is with massive lifetime subsidies, because they are uncompetitive. Ie, if they get built it’s for dumb politics not economics
3. Maken ◴[17 Nov 25 16:08 UTC] No.45954871[source]▶
That sounds like they want to subsidize the coal industry. AI is just the excuse.