Study warns Texas data center boom could reverse decades of air quality gains
A Houston Advanced Research Center study warns that Texas data center growth could significantly increase nitrogen oxide emissions if facilities rely on on-site natural-gas generation instead of grid power supported by renewable energy. Bastrop County residents are also raising concerns about pollution and construction impacts from nearby data center and power projects.
A study from the Houston Advanced Research Center warns that Texas could lose some of its air-quality gains from the past two decades as data centers expand. The report estimates that nitrogen oxide emissions could be two to 10 times higher when data centers use on-site combustion rather than grid electricity paired with solar and wind, although the increase would not apply to total statewide emissions. Study co-author Carlos Gomera said regulators must ensure environmental rules are enforced as the industry grows.
Residents in Bastrop County, including Elmbridge subdivision resident Jay Mirabito, described noise, dust and concrete debris associated with EdgeConneX data center construction. Residents also asked the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to hold a meeting about Pacifico Energy's proposed natural-gas plant, which would power a data center near the community. Big Watt Powerhouse, which is developing a facility in Taylor, told CBS Austin that its project would neutralize up to 90% or more of nitrogen oxide emissions.