Story perspectives

Meta Invests $1.5B Texas AI Data Center Amid Power Scrutiny

6/27/2026

Summary

Meta Invests

Meta will invest $1.5 billion in a 1 GW data center in El Paso, Texas, to start in 2028.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said training AI models could cost $10 billion to $100 billion.
A Utah AI campus at full capacity would consume more than twice the state’s total electricity.
ERCOT approved a June 2026 “Batch Zero” study to evaluate AI data-center loads and prioritize proven builds.

Summary

Nexus Fulcrum Proposal

Nexus Fulcrum LLC applied to build a 510 MW natural-gas plant at Sierra Biofuels Refinery in Tahoe-Reno.
The plant would use nine 56-57 MW turbines and emit over 100 tons yearly of nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide.
Nevada’s 2001 “704B” law lets large loads buy off-grid power while still requiring transmission use and renewable-standard compliance.
NorthWestern Energy’s Montana tariff would force 5 MW-plus data centers to pre-pay for upgrades, prompting Missoula officials to intervene.

History

Historical Context

In 1998 California deregulated utility rates, forcing PG&E to buy power on the open market. A drought and Enron-driven manipulation in summer 2001 created artificial shortages, triggering rolling blackouts and a $40 billion loss that drove PG&E into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2001. The crisis spurred CPUC reforms that now guide ERCOT and Nevada’s 704B law’s push for demand-response and diversified generation.

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Meta Invests

Meta will invest $1.5 billion in a 1 GW data center in El Paso, Texas, to start in 2028.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said training AI models could cost $10 billion to $100 billion.
A Utah AI campus at full capacity would consume more than twice the state’s total electricity.
ERCOT approved a June 2026 “Batch Zero” study to evaluate AI data-center loads and prioritize proven builds.

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