The AI Data Center Boom Is Causing a Gigantic Spike in Smog-Spewing Gas Power Plants

The United States' reliance on gas-powered generators has intensified since the election of Donald Trump, with environmental policies shifting away from renewable energy like offshore wind farms towards more polluting gas- and coal-based facilities. As the world continues to experience unprecedented warming, this smog-heavy atmosphere is further exacerbated by the burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) industry.

According to a recent study by the Environment America Research and Policy Center, the proliferation of AI infrastructure will result in a 44 percent surge in gas-fired generator capacity over the next four years, equating to an additional 20 gigawatts by 2030. This increase, from the current 41.8 gigawatts of gas generators, is an astounding development that took centuries to achieve and has contributed significantly to carbon emissions.

The planned expansion in gas capacity surpasses the output of all US states, with the exception of Texas, California, and Florida. Simultaneously, planned green energy installations are experiencing a 34 percent decrease in wind farm capacities since December 2025. This disturbing trend threatens the nation's progress towards clean energy, as the lifespans of new gas plants could lock America into decades of reliance on fossil fuels, undermining the benefits of data centers.

Moreover, Environment America's projections do not consider gas plants linked directly to data center facilities, such as Elon Musk's 1.2 gigawatt data center in Memphis, Tennessee, which has been causing pollution in majority-Black communities. As this data becomes clearer, it becomes increasingly evident that the benefits of data centers are overshadowed by the environmental consequences, and the air in the US is bound to become even more polluted.