News ClipWIRED Middle East·Memphis, Shelby County, TN
New Gas-Powered Data Centres Could Emit More Greenhouse Gases Than Entire Nations
A WIRED review of permit documents indicates that 11 new gas-powered data center campuses across the US could emit over 129 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, more than entire nations. These projects are linked to major AI companies like OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI, aiming to bypass traditional grids through "behind-the-meter" power generation. The significant environmental impact has drawn community opposition and a lawsuit against xAI in Memphis, Tennessee.
4/23/2026
