Planned Amazon data center could become the biggest climate polluter in the U.S.
As part of a planned Texas data center, Amazon is investing in an on-site power plant that could reportedly become the largest source of climate pollution in the United States.
Amazon plans to build a massive data center in Texas, potentially becoming the largest climate polluter in the U.S., according to The New York Times. The company has invested in an on-site power plant that would burn natural gas and emit 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually - more than any other power plant in the country.
Amazon's spokesperson confirmed the data center will be powered by this new generation facility, claiming it won't increase electricity costs for Texas families. However, data centers are facing increasing political scrutiny due to their impact on electricity costs.
Amazon's carbon emissions have already risen by 16% last year, contrary to the company's pledge to eliminate its carbon emissions by 2040. This trend could worsen as tech companies back the development of large natural gas plants to support their energy-intensive data centers. An Amazon spokesperson acknowledged the shift in the world since the climate pledge was co-founded, yet maintained that their commitment to tackling climate change remains unchanged.
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