Texas leads nation in proposed power plants for data centers, which would emit large amounts of greenhouse gases
A new report reveals Texas is leading the nation in proposed natural gas-fired power plants to supply electricity to data centers, with 32 projects planned in various counties. These plants are projected to emit massive amounts of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, raising significant environmental and public health concerns for nearby communities. The rapid expansion of data centers is also straining the state's power grid and driving policy changes regarding infrastructure costs and new regulations.
A report by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) indicates that Texas is at the forefront of the national trend to build new power plants specifically for data centers, with 32 out of 74 such natural gas-fired facilities nationwide planned for the state. These proposed Texas plants, located in counties like Comal, Anderson, Bexar, Pecos, Caldwell, and Hood, could collectively emit over 287 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, along with thousands of tons of fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds.
Environmental experts, including Griffin Bird from EIP and Neil Carman, an air quality expert, warn that these emissions will have significant climate impacts and pose severe health risks, particularly in lower-income communities that already face poor health outcomes. The report highlights Project Matador, a massive data center campus near Amarillo by Fermi America, which alone could require 11,200 megawatts of power and emit 40 million tons of greenhouse gases annually.
Community advocates are concerned about the strain on the state's power grid, potential increases in residential electricity bills, and worsening air quality. In response to this rapid growth, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed utilities to ensure data center developers bear the costs of new infrastructure and plans to propose requirements for new facilities to add their own power generation. Former President Donald Trump has also advocated for developers to build dedicated power plants.
Some Texas counties have attempted temporary moratoriums on new data center construction to assess energy and water demands, though several efforts were abandoned due to industry pressure. However, the City of San Marcos successfully passed a ban on data centers, testing a novel approach that could be emulated by other Texas cities grappling with the industry's rapid expansion.