{
  "id": 18940929,
  "title": "US datacenter demand spurs increased fossil fuel pipeline projects as rules are discarded",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/us-datacenter-demand-spurs-increased-fossil-fuel-pipeline-projects-as",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-08T13:00:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian US",
    "slug": "the-guardian-us",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/08/datacenters-fossil-fuel-pipelines-regulations"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Trump administration has significantly weakened regulations protecting lives and natural resources, resulting in an increase in fossil fuel pipeline projects. This surge is driven by the demand for natural gas exports, which are fueled by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. According to a review of federal records by the Environmental Integrity Project, nearly 200 pipeline projects are either proposed or in the works, collectively spanning 17,000 miles. This pipeline boom coincides with the administration's decision to discard rules designed to safeguard the environment and human health from pipeline risks. The administration has also stopped enforcing regulations related to these pipelines, allowing companies to bypass environmental safeguards and increase pipeline pressures in densely populated areas, thereby raising the likelihood of accidents and explosions. The findings highlight a previously overlooked environmental threat associated with the proliferation of artificial intelligence and datacenters, as these projects could supply up to 98 gas-fired power plants serving datacenters. This surge in pipeline projects threatens to transport 40% more natural gas daily than currently carried by the system, potentially leading to more accidents and environmental damage. Nearly 25% of the proposed projects have requested expedited environmental reviews, with the administration utilizing legally questionable methods to expedite permit approvals, including invoking the \"energy emergency.\" Furthermore, the administration has employed the Defense Production Act to bypass state objections regarding pipeline projects, as evidenced by the recent restart of the Santa Ynez oil pipeline in California, which had previously been shut down following a major spill. The administration also aims to strip away 94% of federal wetland protections, exacerbating the environmental risks posed by the pipeline expansion.",
  "summary": "Trump administration has gutted regulations that protect lives and natural resources as pipeline build-out continues Datacenters are spurring a boom in fossil fuel pipeline projects at a time when the Trump administration is gutting rules that protect from disasters along the lines, a new review of federal records shows . The report, compiled by the Environmental Integrity Project, also found…",
  "key_points": [
    "Trump administration weakens environmental regulations, enabling more fossil fuel pipeline projects.",
    "Nearly 200 pipeline projects proposed or underway, totaling 17,000 miles of pipeline.",
    "Administration discards pipeline safety rules, allowing higher pressure and increased accident risk."
  ],
  "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."
}