The surge in artificial intelligence development may be introducing harmful toxins into Texas’s air, according to a recent report.
State officials are reviewing plans for over 100 new gas-powered projects, primarily aimed at supporting expanding data centers. This information comes from a report released by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) early Wednesday.
The EIP noted that over 30 projects have already received quick approvals, described as “rubber stamps.”
“To keep up with the rising electricity demand, Texas should focus on promoting clean energy instead of subsidizing fossil fuels,” stated Gendaghan, the executive director of the EIP.
These power plants are distributed across the state, particularly along the I-35 corridor connecting Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, as well as near oil fields in West Texas.
If all proposed plants are constructed, their emissions could equate to the pollution produced by an additional 27 million vehicles annually—roughly matching Texas’s current vehicle count, according to the report.
The emissions from oil and gas operations include volatile carcinogens like benzene, ozone, and particulate matter that can severely impact lung health.
The Environmental Quality Commission in Texas, the state’s environmental regulatory body, has declined to comment on the findings from the report.
This report also influenced the failure of a recent bill in the Texas Legislature, which sought to limit renewable energy expansion in favor of gas production.
A key reason for this legislative hurdle stems from the soaring electricity demand projected by state grid managers. This demand is expected to double by the end of the decade, primarily driven by new cryptocurrency miners, data centers, and oilfield operations.
In the ongoing debate about renewable energy restrictions, advocates for wind, solar, and battery storage have highlighted that these technologies can be deployed quicker than gas solutions, potentially meeting energy needs more effectively.
“Everything should be larger in Texas, but if there’s a cleaner option available, we shouldn’t expand gas plant emissions,” remarked Adrian Shelley, Director of Public Citizens in Texas.
“Since Texas leads in clean energy, relying on it to boost our electricity supply will be beneficial for the power grid and will help lower consumer costs,” he added.
However, as the demand for rapid energy capacity increases, developers of data centers are increasingly opting for new privately-owned gas facilities.
For instance, one such plant near New Braunfels generates around 1.2 gigawatts of power, yet that entire output is directed solely to the data center, the Tribune found.
Despite the substantial size of these plants—some capable of energizing medium-sized cities—EIP asserts that Texas regulators have misclassified them, allowing them to bypass stricter emission control standards intended for larger pollution sources.
This misclassification means these gas plants may not utilize the best available technology to limit emissions of harmful chemicals, resulting in increased health risks.
