Full Breakdown
Off-Grid Gas Plants Powering U.S. Data Centers: Texas Leads a Climate and Health Surge
7/2/2026, 11:01:57 PM
Growth of Off-Grid Power for Data Centers
The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) has identified 74 planned natural-gas power plants to supply data centers, with 32 in Texas—most of any state. Sites include Comal, Anderson, Bexar, Pecos and Caldwell counties. These “behind-the-meter” plants bypass traditional grid interconnection and federal permitting.
Scale, Emissions, and Health Impacts
EIP estimates the 74 plants would generate 143 GW and emit 662 million tons of CO2 annually—comparable to France’s output. Texas projects could release over 287 million tons of CO2, plus 14 000 tons of fine particulate matter, 20 000 tons of nitrogen oxides and VOCs. 90 % of sites are in counties with life expectancy below U.S. average, and several sit near communities failing ozone standards, raising respiratory risk.
Official and Industry Responses
Data Center Coalition vice-president Dan Diorio said the industry is “committed to being a good steward of the environment while protecting ratepayers and supporting Texas’s economic and energy leadership.” Governor Greg Abbott ordered utilities to shift infrastructure costs for new data centers onto developers and signaled AI regulation will be addressed in 2027. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called data-center expansion a national-security priority, urging the U.S. to “win this race against China to be the AI capital of the world.”
Environmental and Community Opposition
EIP executive director Jen Duggan warned the plants would force nearby residents “to breathe in unhealthy air concentrations” and could worsen health disparities. Air-quality expert Neil Carman called the issue “a very hot-button issue” given Texas’s chronic ozone problems. San Marcos banned data-center construction, citing grid strain, higher rates and reliability concerns.
Conflicting Projections and Gaps
EIP’s review reflects projects in planning, permitting or construction as of April 2026. Since then, at least 11 additional data-center proposals have emerged nationally, and the final count of operational plants remains uncertain. Air-quality monitoring is sparse in West Texas, where many sites are proposed, leaving emissions under-documented.
Policy Outlook and Public Sentiment
A July 2026 Reuters/Ipsos poll found only one-third of Americans approve the pace of data-center construction, a sentiment that may influence the November midterm elections. The 2027 Texas legislative session is expected to consider measures shifting infrastructure costs to developers and introducing environmental safeguards for off-grid plants. Stakeholders anticipate ongoing debate over balancing AI-driven growth with climate and health goals.
Verbatim Quotes
“Adding more particulate matter and smog-forming air pollutants from these plants could worsen these existing health disparities,” — Jen Duggan, Executive Director, Environmental Integrity Project
“I think that a lot of Americans would agree that we should win this race against China to be the AI capital of the world,” — Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator
“It’s past time for tech leaders to take responsibility for how their presence has shaped utility plans.” — Emma Clancy, Staff Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center
“consistently been at the forefront of energy efficiency and advanced operational technologies to meet that need responsibly.” — Dan Diorio, Vice President of State Policy, Data Center Coalition
