Amazon’s Planned Texas Data Center Could Become the Largest Single Greenhouse-Gas Emitter in the U.S
Amazon plans to invest in a large data center and an accompanying natural-gas power plant in Pecos County, Texas. The power plant has been approved to emit as much as 33 million metric tons of carbon dioxide a year—more than any existing power-generation facility in the United States. Once completed, it is expected to become the country’s largest single source of greenhouse-gas emissions. Driven by the enormous energy demand created by the development of artificial intelligence, major U.S. technology companies are continuing to advance large natural-gas power projects. Amazon’s carbon emissions surged 16% last year, putting the company at odds with its commitment to eliminate carbon emissions entirely by 2040. Such projects are also facing growing political resistance because data centers’ heavy electricity use could raise local residents’ power costs. In response to criticism, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the data center will be powered by newly built on-site generation facilities and said the project “will not raise electricity bills for Texas households.” Addressing criticism that the company has moved away from its climate goals, the spokesperson said, “The world is very different now than it was when we launched our climate initiative together,” and reiterated that Amazon’s “commitment has not changed.”
Driven by the enormous energy demand created by the development of artificial intelligence, major U.S. technology companies are continuing to advance large natural-gas power projects. Amazon’s carbon emissions surged 16% last year, putting the company at odds with its commitment to eliminate carbon emissions entirely by 2040. Such projects are also facing growing political resistance because data centers’ heavy electricity use could raise local residents’ power costs.
In response to criticism, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the data center will be powered by newly built on-site generation facilities and said the project “will not raise electricity bills for Texas households.” Addressing criticism that the company has moved away from its climate goals, the spokesperson said, “The world is very different now than it was when we launched our climate initiative together,” and reiterated that Amazon’s “commitment has not changed.”