Report: Data centers an increasing source of air pollution

News Clip0:31WNEP·PA·4/27/2026

A report from the American Lung Association states that data centers are an increasing source of air pollution, primarily due to their use of fossil-fuel-powered electricity and diesel backup generators. Communities near large data center clusters experience more pollution. The report notes about a dozen data center projects are either proposed or in progress in northeastern and central Pennsylvania.

environmentalelectricity
The American Lung Association has issued a report identifying data centers as a growing contributor to air pollution. The report indicates that areas located near major data center concentrations experience higher pollution levels. This is largely attributed to data centers' significant electricity demand, which is often met by fossil fuels, and the emissions produced by their diesel-powered backup generators. The findings are particularly relevant to northeastern and central Pennsylvania, where close to a dozen data center projects are currently either proposed or under construction.