New Gas Plants to Power Data Centers Could Pollute as Much as Entire Countries

An environmental group is raising alarms about dozens of gas-powered plants being built across the United States. These plants would send electricity directly to data centers — the giant buildings that store and process information for the internet. A new report says that if all these plants are built, they could release as much greenhouse gas every year as entire countries like France or Australia. The report was published on Wednesday, July 1.

The Environmental Integrity Project, or EIP, looked at 74 gas plant projects that are either planned or already being built. These plants would not connect to the main U.S. electric grid. Instead, they would send power straight to data centers, which is sometimes called 'behind the meter' power. The EIP estimates these plants could produce 143 gigawatts of electricity and create 662 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Because these plants skip the normal process of connecting to the power grid, they often avoid strict federal rules. Usually, large power plants must go through years of permits, environmental studies, and public hearings before they can open. But these off-grid plants can sometimes get approved in just weeks or months. Developers argue that private off-grid plants are not required to follow many of those rules.

The report also warns about health risks for people who live near these plants. The plants release harmful pollutants like nitrous oxide and benzene into the air. These chemicals can cause breathing problems and other serious health issues. The EIP says people living close to these plants deserve better protection.

Jen Duggan, the executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project, spoke strongly about the issue. She said, 'An industry of the future should not be chained to dirty fuels of the past and the air pollution from fossil fuels that cause real harm to communities.' Her group is calling on tech companies to find cleaner energy sources. They believe it is possible to power data centers without causing so much pollution.

Nearly half of the 74 planned plants will be built in Texas. Other states with several planned plants include Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia — all states that already produce a lot of natural gas. Having so many plants in certain areas could make air quality worse for nearby communities. Residents there may face higher levels of harmful air pollution.

The Trump administration has pushed for the fast construction of data centers, calling it a national security issue. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the U.S. needs to beat China in the race to lead the world in artificial intelligence. However, a recent poll found that only one in three Americans supports the fast pace of data center building. The topic is expected to be a major issue for voters in the upcoming November midterm elections.