"A handful of mega data center projects would emit over 100 million tons per year of greenhouse gases, an enormous amount roughly equal to the annual emissions of a mid-sized industrialized country."
"The 12 largest gas power projects planned in Texas are all specifically intended to run data centers, according to data released Tuesday by Global Energy Monitor, a global nonprofit that maps and tracks energy infrastructure.
The volume of gas power generation planned in Texas has continued to surge, growing by 50 percent in the last six months, the GEM report said—more than any country besides the United States.
Permitting documents show that just a handful of mega-projects in Texas could emit over 100 million tons per year of greenhouse gases, an enormous amount roughly equal to the annual emissions of a mid-sized industrialized country. These projects are also expected to discharge tens of thousands of tons of other pollutants.
The latest release of GEM’s Global Oil and Gas Plant Tracker shows 81.7 gigawatts of operating gas power generation in Texas, with 99.4 GW in development and another 22.4 GW recently announced."
Dylan Baddour reports for Inside Climate News August 25, 2026.
SEE ALSO:
"Ken Paxton Unveils Anti-Data-Center Plan As Gop Voter Anger Mounts In Texas" (Washington Post)
"Paxton and Abbott Break With Trump, Sour on Data Centers" (Bloomberg)
"Paxton Rolls Out Data Center Plan; Talarico Questions His Motives" (Fox 7 Austin)
"Texas AG Ken Paxton Targets Chinese Technology, Chatbots In Data Center Platform" (KVUE ABC)
