Report says Texas data centers may reverse air quality gains
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HARC released a report estimating that if all planned data centers in Texas connect to the grid as expected, their power demand would push power-sector fine particulate pollution to its highest level since 2006: NOx emissions would rise 136%, and carbon dioxide would climb 90% above 2025 levels, potentially wiping out decades of air quality improvements. The report notes that existing and under-construction data center capacity in Texas totals 26 gigawatts, the largest market in the US. With on-site renewable energy, NOx emissions could be cut by up to 10 times; but if developers switch to on-site gas turbines to shorten grid-connection wait times, pollution could reach its highest levels. The matter is currently in the post-publication discussion stage, with no reports yet of policy or project changes.
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- The Verge · AIData centers could erase decades of air quality gains
A new HARC report estimates that if all planned Texas data centers connect to the grid as expected, power-sector fine particulate pollution would rise to its highest level since 2006, with NOx emissions up 136% and carbon dioxide climbing 90% from 2025 levels. Texas data center capacity, existing and under construction, reaches 26 gigawatts, the largest market in the US; pairing them with on-site renewables could cut NOx emissions by up to 10 times, but developers switching to on-site gas turbines to shorten grid-connection waits could push pollution to its highest levels.
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