Data center developers are turning to bespoke natural-gas power plants, a trend that threatens to significantly increase U.S. carbon emissions. The 99 projects tracked by BloombergNEF would emit approximately 318 million metric tons of CO2 annually, representing a potential 20% rise in U.S. power sector emissions, and up to a third if operated at full capacity. This planned gas capacity reaches 126 gigawatts across 22 states, with more than a third in Texas. Amazon and Microsoft are among the leading promoters, including a 3,200-hectare Texas site that could become one of the largest single sources of carbon pollution in the country. These developments threaten to make Big Tech’s announced climate goals unattainable.
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