So, here's the deal: all those futuristic AI dreams? Turns out, they might be fueled by something decidedly less futuristic: coal. I know, it's a bit of a buzzkill.

A recent report suggests that some energy companies are delaying the retirement of their coal-burning plants. Why? To keep up with the energy demands of those massive AI data centers. Yes, you read that right. While we're busy marveling at AI, it's quietly propping up an industry that's not exactly known for being environmentally friendly.

As one EPA Administrator put it, coal plants need to stay online to meet the growing demand from manufacturing and AI. It's quite a turnaround, especially when you consider that, between 2010 and 2019, there were plans to shut down a huge number of coal-generating units. A decommissioning project, to be precise.

And, it's not just about climate change. Burning coal has some pretty nasty effects on local air quality. A report from the National Institutes of Health suggests that hundreds of thousands of deaths could have been avoided if it weren't for emissions from coal power plants. That's a sobering thought.

It seems like market conditions are bringing coal back into the game. And while some politicians might tout themselves as saviors of the coal industry, it's worth remembering who really pays the price: workers and communities who are exposed to the harmful effects of coal production and combustion.