Coal-fired power plants, long a money-losing proposition in the U.S., are becoming more valuable now.

What was once Pennsylvania’s biggest coal-fired power plant is being turned into a $10 billion natural gas-powered data center campus designed to capitalize on Big Tech's fast-growing energy demands.

Pennsylvania is of prime importance in November's presidential election, and the natural gas industry is already playing a central role in TV campaign ads in the state. The oil and gas industry is responsible for nearly 30% of the nations methane emissions, according to the EPA. But killing the methane emissions rule also blocks a legal requirement for the EPA to extend the rule to cover equipment installed before 2015, environmental advocates say. Methane emissions are increasing rapidly, and the oil and gas industry is clearly part of the problem." Oil and gas industry representatives are pushing hard for the Trump methane rollbacks, fearing tougher, more expensive rules to stop the emissions.

The oil and gas industry was responsible for nearly 30% of the nations methane emissions in 2018, and methane accounted for 10% of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA. Supporters of the rule maintained that, based on reports the companies file, it seemed to be helping reduce methane emissions. But, far more importantly, killing the methane emissions rule also blocks a legal requirement for the EPA to extend the rule to cover many more pieces of equipment installed before 2015, environmental advocates say. Methane emissions are increasing rapidly, and the oil and gas industry is clearly part of the problem." Oil and gas industry representatives pushed for the methane rollbacks, fearing tougher, more expensive rules covering emissions from older equipment.