Meta's Clean Energy Conundrum

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has dropped out of the RE100 initiative, a corporate renewable energy program, amidst a significant buildout of natural gas power plants to fuel its AI data centers.

Meta's Fossil Fuel Ambitions

Meta has been investing heavily in natural gas power plants, with a recent project in Louisiana that will generate enough electricity to power the entire state of South Dakota. This move contradicts the company's previous pledge to run its operations on 100% renewable energy by 2020.

Meta's natural gas ambitions have been growing in recent years, with the company announcing a 200-megawatt behind-the-meter gas power plant in Ohio in June 2025. This was followed by three large natural gas power plants in Louisiana to supply electricity to its Hyperion data center. In April 2026, Meta announced that it would fund seven more natural gas power plants for the same project.

• The 10 power plants will generate 7.5 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power South Dakota and then some.
• Natural gas burns more cleanly than coal, but it still produces significant amounts of pollution, including nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and carbon monoxide.
• These pollutants contribute to a range of diseases, including asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.

A Question of Clean Energy

Meta can still claim to be 100% renewable by purchasing environmental attribute certificates, which allow companies to invest in solar farms or other renewable energy projects. However, this approach has been criticized for being overly simplistic and not accurately reflecting the true impact of a company's energy usage.

• Most companies have tackled their renewable power goals using annual matching, but some, including Microsoft, are striving to match their electricity use on an hourly basis.
• This more stringent approach would bring power production more in line with how data centers use electricity and encourage companies to invest in projects that pair renewables with batteries.

A Shift in Focus

Meta's departure from the RE100 initiative marks a significant shift in the company's focus towards fossil fuels. While Meta competitors Apple, Google, and Microsoft remain part of the group, Meta's move is notable given its previous commitment to renewable energy.

• Meta's natural gas buildout raises questions about the true meaning of "clean energy" and whether companies like Meta are truly committed to reducing their environmental impact.
• The company's exit from the RE100 initiative comes as the nonprofit updates its guidance for companies, enforcing more rigorous reporting on progress toward renewable energy goals.