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Google Signs First U.S. Deal for a Carbon Capture Power Plant

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Business Honor - Google’s First U.S. Carbon Capture Deal

Business Honor
24 October, 2025

Google purchases power from a new Illinois plant using carbon capture to reduce emissions and support growing AI energy needs.

Google is the first company in the nation to reach a historic agreement to purchase electricity from a U.S. power plant that uses carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. This move advances Google's goal of using sustainable energy continuously while supporting the company's growing energy needs for data centers and artificial intelligence. The agreement deals with Low Carbon Infrastructure's development of a 400-megawatt natural gas power facility in Decatur, Illinois. About 90% of the carbon dioxide it releases will be collected and stored permanently underground as part of the Broadwing project. With final investment approval, the plant is expected to start operations in the early 2030s.

The agribusiness behemoth Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) owns the industrial site where the project would be constructed. ADM already stores carbon from the production of ethanol nearby. About 650 union members and 100 management and support personnel will be hired during the four-year development phase. In addition, ADM will be allowed to purchase electricity from the plant. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), that provides electricity to 15 Midwestern states and several Google data centers, will get electricity from Broadwing. Though they failed to offer details, Google and Low Carbon Infrastructure stated that they aim to create more CCS projects across the United States.

The agreement adds an essential part to Google's clean energy strategy, according to Michael Terrell, head of Advanced Energy. Terrell stated, "It is a very important technology that the world requires." As major tech businesses look for dependable power in order to expand AI operations, the deal comes after Google made recent investments in advanced nuclear, geothermal, and hydropower.