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74 Gas Power Plants Proposed for U.S. Data Centers Could Release as Much Climate Pollution as Australia
https://environmentalintegrity.org/news/74-gas-power-plants-proposed-for-u-s-data-centers-could-release-as-much-climate-pollution-as-australia/Power Plants Dedicated to Data Centers Could Also Emit 160,000 Tons a Year of Health-Harming Pollutants, Often Into Lower-Income Areas
July 1, 2026
Washington, D.C. — At least 74 natural gas-fired power plants, which could release as much climate-warming pollution as the nation of Australia each year, are planned across the U.S. to provide energy for the rapidly-growing data center industry.
These proposed gas plants, which would be dedicated to serving data centers, are expected to generate 143 gigawatts of electricity – enough to power the state of California nearly three times over – along with 662 million tons per year of greenhouse gas pollution, according to a new Environmental Integrity Project report, “The Power Behind AI.”
Many of the plants would be built in parts of the country already struggling with low incomes and premature death, and could worsen local public health by releasing 159,142 tons a year of health-damaging air pollutants, including 44,281 tons of nitrogen oxides that contribute to smog and lung damage and 32,684 tons of fine particulate matter, which can trigger heart and asthma attacks.
“An industry of the future should not be chained to dirty fuels of the past and the air pollution from fossil fuels that cause real harm to communities,” said Jen Duggan, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project. “While data centers may be needed to accommodate shifts in technology, the public has a right to transparency and accountability, clean air, and common sense controls to protect water supplies, especially in areas already struggling with water shortages.”
…
https://environmentalintegrity.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/EIP_Report_ThePowerBehindAI_7.1.26.pdfJuly 1, 2026
Washington, D.C. — At least 74 natural gas-fired power plants, which could release as much climate-warming pollution as the nation of Australia each year, are planned across the U.S. to provide energy for the rapidly-growing data center industry.
These proposed gas plants, which would be dedicated to serving data centers, are expected to generate 143 gigawatts of electricity – enough to power the state of California nearly three times over – along with 662 million tons per year of greenhouse gas pollution, according to a new Environmental Integrity Project report, “The Power Behind AI.”
Many of the plants would be built in parts of the country already struggling with low incomes and premature death, and could worsen local public health by releasing 159,142 tons a year of health-damaging air pollutants, including 44,281 tons of nitrogen oxides that contribute to smog and lung damage and 32,684 tons of fine particulate matter, which can trigger heart and asthma attacks.
“An industry of the future should not be chained to dirty fuels of the past and the air pollution from fossil fuels that cause real harm to communities,” said Jen Duggan, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project. “While data centers may be needed to accommodate shifts in technology, the public has a right to transparency and accountability, clean air, and common sense controls to protect water supplies, especially in areas already struggling with water shortages.”
…