Pecos County residents voice concerns over incoming data center project
Residents in Pecos County, Texas, are expressing significant concerns over Pacifico Energy's GW Ranch data center project, which is backed by Amazon. A New York Times report highlights the project's potential to become the most polluting power plant in the U.S. due to its projected carbon dioxide emissions. The project has sparked worries among locals about its environmental impact and the benefits versus negatives for the community.
A recent New York Times report has raised alarms regarding an upcoming data center project in Pecos County, Texas. The project, known as Pacifico Energy's GW Ranch, is backed by Amazon and is slated to encompass 8,000 acres north of Fort Stockton, with an estimated cost of $900 million. The Times suggests this facility could become the largest polluting power plant in the U.S., prompting significant resident concern.
Regulation records reportedly permit the GW Ranch's 35-turbine plant to emit 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, an amount comparable to the total emissions of countries like Switzerland or Ireland. This substantial environmental footprint, alongside concerns about energy and water usage, has ignited opposition, with protests mirroring broader nationwide sentiment against large-scale data center developments. The project, greenlit in January, has been controversial among residents from the outset, with environmental worries intensifying their apprehension.
While Governor Greg Abbott has stated that data centers harmful to Texas's electrical grid are unwelcome, Amazon's campus plans to operate on 6.5 gigawatts of gas power generation and utilize non-potable water. Amazon issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the region, promising thousands of jobs. However, many residents remain skeptical, questioning whether the projected positives will genuinely outweigh the environmental and community negatives. One resident commented on the lack of clarity regarding job creation and the potential lack of regulation, comparing it to being forced to smoke cigarettes.
Amazon is targeting a construction completion in December, with Pacifico Energy expecting the first energy output early next year.