Texas Poised to Build 32 Data Center Gas Plants as Report Warns of 287 Million Tons
Updated
Updated · The Texas Tribune · Jul 1
Texas Poised to Build 32 Data Center Gas Plants as Report Warns of 287 Million Tons
3 articles · Updated · The Texas Tribune · Jul 1
Summary
Thirty-two proposed Texas power plants for data centers would emit more than 287 million tons of greenhouse gases a year if fully built and run at maximum capacity, according to an Environmental Integrity Project analysis.
Nationwide, EIP identified 74 planned gas-fired plants of at least 100 megawatts tied to data centers, with Texas hosting the largest share as AI demand drives developers toward on-site generation.
Those Texas plants could also release more than 14,000 tons of fine particulate matter, 20,000 tons of nitrogen oxides and 8,000 tons of volatile organic compounds, often near lower-income communities and areas already struggling with ozone pollution.
ERCOT said developers had requested about 439 gigawatts of future demand as of May, roughly 89% from data centers, intensifying fights over grid reliability and who pays for new infrastructure.
Texas officials have pushed developers to cover their own power costs, while some local governments have sought pauses or bans on new data centers as the state’s AI boom accelerates.
Will AI's thirst for power and water push Texas's resources to a breaking point?
Is Texas's AI boom creating a hidden public health crisis for its most vulnerable communities?
Can the AI revolution be sustainable if it's powered by a massive fossil fuel expansion?
Texas Faces 143 GW Gas-Powered Data Center Boom: AI Demand Drives Unprecedented Environmental and Economic Strain
Overview
Texas is seeing a rapid rise in gas-powered data centers, fueled by the growing needs of artificial intelligence and high-tech industries. A recent report highlights 74 planned projects that will generate 143 gigawatts of power, marking a shift toward local, fossil-fuel-based energy for digital infrastructure. If built, these centers could emit 662 million tons of greenhouse gases and over 159,000 tons of other harmful air pollutants each year. This surge not only increases environmental and health risks for nearby communities but also signals a major change in how Texas powers its digital future.