Planned US Data Centers Projected to Significantly Increase Carbon Emissions
A new analysis indicates that 60 major US data centers under construction by tech giants could significantly increase carbon emissions, rivaling the output of many coal plants or millions of gas cars. This surge, driven by AI demands, conflicts with climate pledges and is intensifying public opposition over environmental impacts and resource consumption. Residents in Albany, New York, have rallied for an AI data center moratorium amid these concerns.
A new Financial Times analysis projects that 60 of the largest data centers currently under construction in the US, developed by companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, could collectively emit 101.5 million tons of carbon dioxide annually once operational. This figure represents approximately 7% of all 2025 US power-sector emissions, equivalent to operating 27 coal power plants or adding 24 million gas-powered cars to the road, largely driven by the burgeoning demands of AI infrastructure.
This anticipated increase in emissions starkly contrasts with the public climate commitments made by these tech companies in recent years. The Financial Times report indicates that Amazon's emissions climbed 16% and Microsoft's 25% from 2024 to 2025, primarily due to data center construction and increased electricity purchases. Google's parent company, Alphabet, also reported an 18% year-over-year increase in its adjusted emissions figures.
Researchers attribute this trend to the massive scale of AI infrastructure demand and a past political climate that favored fossil fuels. To meet the round-the-clock power requirements of these data centers, utilities are rapidly expanding gas-fired energy capacity across the US, with projections indicating up to a 50% increase in existing gas-burning infrastructure. This reliance on fossil fuels, including delaying the retirement of coal plants, occurs despite ongoing efforts to integrate clean energy, as large-scale storage technology has yet to catch up.
The environmental consequences and strain on the power grid are fueling public backlash, compounding existing concerns over water usage, land acquisition, and noise pollution. Environmental activist Erin Brockovich is actively mapping affected communities, and public polling suggests widespread disapproval of "AI factories." In May, residents in Albany, New York, held a rally advocating for an AI data center moratorium, highlighting the growing local activism against these developments.