{
  "id": 1717470,
  "title": "Data center gas plants to boost U.S. power emissions by 20%",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/data-center-gas-plants-to-boost-u-s-power-emissions-by-20",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-18T13:25:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/08/18/data-center-gas-plants-to-boost-u-s-power-emissions-by-20/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Data center developers are constructing customized natural-gas power plants to expedite the supply of electricity, a move that could significantly escalate carbon emissions and complicate U.S. tech businesses' efforts to achieve ambitious climate targets. According to Bloomberg News analysis, 99 proposed plants would discharge approximately 318 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year if operated at standard levels. This single sector could raise U.S. power sector emissions by 20%, or up to a third if the plants operate at maximum capacity. The expansion of data centers has already strained the U.S. electricity system, leading to reliability issues and moratoriums on new project approvals. Developers are turning to alternative solutions, such as behind-the-meter projects, to secure power quickly without waiting for utility approval. However, the rush to meet the insatiable demand for AI-driven computing power has resulted in many speculative projects and unfeasible proposals. Bloomberg estimates the emissions based on 126 gigawatts of planned on-site gas generation capacity, assuming a range of usage from 60% to 100% and a typical gas generator's efficiency. Emissions will differ depending on the usage and generator efficiency. The proposed plants span 22 states, with a significant concentration in Texas due to abundant fossil resources and a lenient regulatory climate. Notably, Amazon and Microsoft are among the developers of these projects, with Amazon backing an 8,000-acre site in Pecos County, which will be one of the largest carbon emission sources in the U.S. combined with Chevron's gas plant, they could generate over 10 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power New York City on a scorching summer day. These plants and their annual emissions of up to 45 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent pose a threat to Big Tech's climate goals. Despite their clean energy commitments, Amazon and Microsoft continue to invest in fossil infrastructure to meet the demands of the AI boom, leaving their climate promises up in the air.",
  "summary": "Ninety-nine proposed gas plants to power AI data centers could lift emissions by up to a third, with Amazon and Microsoft among the developers",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}