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Recent reports indicate that environmental authorities have halted Mark Zuckerberg’s nuclear energy initiative, which was intended to support Meta’s ambitious artificial intelligence endeavors. While specifics are limited, the primary reason for this decision appears to be linked to the presence of endangered bee species.
The setback for the tech giant, first highlighted on November 4 by the Financial Times, followed a survey that identified these unidentified pollinators during an assessment of land designated for a new AI data facility. This location was strategically chosen due to its proximity to an existing nuclear power plant. However, Zuckerberg confirmed during a recent all-hands meeting at Meta that plans for this project have been scrapped. He noted that prior to this cancellation, Meta was poised to become the pioneering company utilizing nuclear energy for AI operations through one of the largest plants available for data center applications. (Meta did not provide comments when approached.)
[Related:[Related:[Related:[Related:The resurgence of Three Mile Island in response to massive AI energy demands.]
Meta is not alone; numerous technology firms are grappling with significant energy challenges as they invest heavily in AI technologies. Earlier this year, Microsoft reported a staggering 29 percent increase in greenhouse gas emissions since 2020, attributed largely to new data centers specifically optimized for AI workloads. Similarly, Google has indicated that its emissions have surged by approximately 48 percent since 2019 due primarily to escalating energy demands from its data centers.
“As we continue integrating AI into our offerings, minimizing emissions may prove increasingly difficult,” stated researchers from Google in their July sustainability report.
Critics remain vocal about the substantial energy consumption associated with these often contentious AI initiatives. For instance, it is estimated that executing a single AI-enhanced search query can consume up to ten times more power than a standard Google search—comparable to keeping one light bulb illuminated for twenty minutes. In light of these concerns, several tech companies have recently unveiled plans centered around nuclear power solutions. Microsoft aims to reactivate the notorious Three Mile Island facility for its AI requirements while Amazon is investing hundreds of millions into collaborations with Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna nuclear plant.
Google is also channeling resources into developing modular “mini” nuclear reactors tailored specifically for its operational needs.
According to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, there are currently 94 active commercial reactors across 55 plants in 28 states contributing roughly one-fifth of America’s total electricity supply. Numerous bee species throughout the U.S., however, are classified as at-risk or endangered; thus identifying which specific species led to Meta’s project delay remains challenging.
While details regarding both the specific nuclear facility and bee species involved remain unclear, Brock Harpur—a Purdue University assistant professor specializing in entomology—suggests several possibilities based on current trends among U.S. bee populations.
“If it’s located in California, there are now multiple bumblebee species under protection,” Harpur remarked during an interview with Popular Science.
California hosts only one operational nuclear site—the Diablo Canyon Power Plant situated within San Luis Obispo County. Given how lengthy and complex approval processes can be when establishing new facilities or upgrades at existing ones take years or even decades; it seems plausible that Meta might have sought collaboration opportunities with PG&E if they aimed at maintaining competitiveness within their sector against other major players leveraging similar technologies.
Representatives from Diablo Canyon did not respond before publication time.
With most U.S.-based reactors concentrated mainly across Midwestern and Eastern regions; Harpur speculated further suggesting it could also involve rare pollinators like Rusty Patched Bumblebee—the first bee listed as endangered by US Fish & Wildlife Service back in 2017.
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