NEWS: Electric co-ops need more megawatts to power data centers. But gas plant emissions standards are holding them back, some orgs say.

The plea: The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, along with electric co-op execs, are urging the White House to repeal a Biden-era emissions rule for new gas plants. 

The issue: Electric co-ops say they need more gas to offer data centers 24/7 power. But the EPA rule, which requires new large gas plants to install carbon capture tech, makes that much harder. “This is a significant threat to our ability to do our job,” said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, at a press event last week.