Texas data center boom could erase decades of progress on air quality
A new report warns that Texas’ data center expansion could significantly increase air pollution by 2031, especially if facilities rely on on-site natural-gas generation. Gov. Greg Abbott has temporarily halted new data center grid connections while the state audits their power demand, water use, financial assistance and community impacts.
A Houston Advanced Research Center report warns that Texas could reverse decades of air-quality improvements as at least 288 data center projects are planned across the state. Researchers modeled several power-supply scenarios and found nitrogen oxide emissions could rise 35% by 2031 even under a cleaner scenario, or nearly 400% if facilities rely on on-site natural-gas plants.
HARC Vice President Carlos Gamarra said data centers should be treated like industrial facilities and held to comparable emissions standards. The report also highlights the facilities’ substantial electricity and cooling needs, while ERCOT has received a sharp increase in requests from large power users seeking grid connections. Gov. Greg Abbott has temporarily paused new data center grid connections pending an audit of power, water, financial and community impacts.