Gas plants for US data centers to be major source of climate change-linked emissions, report says
A report by the Environmental Integrity Project indicates that dozens of planned off-grid gas plants to power data centers across the US could generate greenhouse gas emissions comparable to major economies. These projects often bypass standard federal regulations and environmental reviews, posing climate and public health risks. Texas is identified as a primary location for nearly half of these proposed plants.
A report released by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) on Wednesday, July 1, warns that dozens of planned off-grid gas plants across the United States to power data centers could collectively emit as much greenhouse gas annually as major economies like Australia or France. The EIP reviewed 74 such projects, estimating they would generate 143 gigawatts of electricity and contribute 662 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year. These "behind the meter" power projects are reportedly gaining rapid approval by bypassing standard federal regulations for grid interconnection, often avoiding years of permitting, environmental studies, and public hearings.
Developers argue that these private customer plants are exempt from many of these rules, allowing them to advance swiftly. However, the EIP report highlights not only the climate change implications but also public health risks from pollutants like nitrous oxide and benzene in communities near these projects. Jen Duggan, executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project, stated that an industry of the future should not rely on "dirty fuels of the past."
Geographically, the report found that nearly half of the identified 74 plants are slated for Texas, followed by Ohio (10 plants), Pennsylvania (6 plants), and West Virginia (4 plants). Trump administration officials, including Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, have advocated for the accelerated construction of data centers, framing it as a national security and economic priority. This push comes despite a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating that only one in three Americans approve of the rapid pace of data center construction, an issue gaining traction in political campaigns.