Environmental groups threaten lawsuit over West Side San Antonio data centers

Environmental groups are threatening to sue Vantage Data Centers and its power provider VoltaGrid over two data center campuses on the far West Side of San Antonio, Texas. The groups, including the Environmental Integrity Project, Sierra Club, and Public Citizen, allege that the projects improperly avoided pollution controls and public review mandated by the Clean Air Act.

According to Public Citizen Texas Director Adrian Shelley, one Vantage Data Centers campus at 5207 Rogers Road is operational, while another at 14270 Omicron Drive is under construction. Both include on-site natural-gas plants and over 150 diesel backup generators. The environmental organizations contend that Vantage and VoltaGrid divided the data centers and power generation equipment into smaller units to qualify for less stringent state permits, thus bypassing the public notice, pollution controls, and resident comment opportunities required for major permits.

Jen Duggan, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project, highlighted that the plants could emit particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde, contributing to Bexar County's existing violation of federal ozone health standards. The groups filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue on July 22. Vantage Data Centers stated it takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and operates in compliance with all regulations, adding that it will review the allegations. A TCEQ hearing is scheduled for August 17 in San Antonio, where residents can comment on Vantage's proposed federal operating permit for the Omicron Drive campus.