Gas-Powered Data Centers May Outpollute Some Countries
▼ Summary
– New natural gas projects for just 11 US data center campuses could emit over 129 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, exceeding Morocco’s 2024 total.
– These projects provide “behind-the-meter” power, bypassing the grid to directly supply data centers for AI companies like OpenAI and Microsoft.
– This trend is accelerating due to long utility connection waits and public resistance to potential higher energy bills from grid expansion.
– A specific example involves xAI’s gas turbines at two campuses, which could emit over 12.8 million tons of CO2 combined, equivalent to 30+ natural gas plants.
– Microsoft is reportedly seeking power from a Chevron-backed Texas gas project that could emit over 11.5 million tons yearly, more than Jamaica’s total emissions.
A recent analysis of air permit documents reveals that new natural gas projects tied to just eleven US data center campuses could collectively generate over 129 million tons of greenhouse gases annually. This staggering figure surpasses the total emissions produced by the entire nation of Morocco in 2024. These facilities are being constructed to provide dedicated power for the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, serving major tech firms like OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI. This trend represents only the beginning of the potential environmental impact from the industry’s rapid expansion.
Facing lengthy delays for grid connections and public pushback over rising energy costs, data center developers are increasingly turning to behind-the-meter power generation. This approach involves building private natural gas infrastructure to bypass traditional utilities entirely. Michael Thomas, founder of the clean energy research firm Cleanview, has been monitoring these gas permits nationwide. He describes the shift as “a crazy acceleration of emissions,” expressing deep concern that it marks a dangerous new surge in fossil fuel reliance just as society seemed poised to retire them.
A prominent and controversial case is unfolding in Memphis, Tennessee. There, xAI installed gas turbines at its Colossus 1 campus to rapidly develop its Grok AI model, sparking protests from residents of the surrounding low-income Black community over air quality concerns. Despite opposition, regulators approved the turbines. A permit was also granted for a second campus in Southaven, Mississippi, leading the NAACP to file a lawsuit last week alleging the company is operating the turbines illegally. The emissions potential is immense; permit applications indicate the turbines at both campuses could each produce over 6.4 million tons of CO2 equivalents yearly. Combined, their output equals the emissions from more than thirty average natural gas power plants.
In a separate development, Microsoft is reportedly in talks to buy power from a Chevron-backed natural gas project in West Texas. According to its permit, that single facility could emit more than 11.5 million tons of greenhouse gases per year, an amount greater than the annual emissions of Jamaica. These projects underscore a troubling pivot where the quest for immediate, massive computing power is driving a significant new investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, with a climate footprint that rivals small countries.
(Source: Wired)
