Texas Plans Over 100 Gas Power Plants Amid AI Data Center Boom

Texas is seeing a surge in proposed natural gas-fired power plants, with over 100 projects planned to meet rising electricity demand from energy-intensive AI data centers and other industries. These projects could add 58,000 megawatts of capacity but are expected to emit roughly 115 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually, equivalent to pollution from nearly 27 million additional gasoline vehicles, raising significant environmental and public health concerns. Critics highlight that many of these plants received permits with minimal scrutiny, and some have been misclassified to avoid stringent pollution controls, while clean energy alternatives remain underutilized. This gas power boom in Texas contrasts with developments in New York, where companies are considering data center expansions near hydropower facilities to tap into cleaner energy sources. Additionally, new innovations like modular off-grid power systems integrating gas, battery storage, and cooling components are being introduced in the Southeast to enhance efficiency and reduce costs for powering data centers. The rapid growth in AI infrastructure power needs is driving these shifts, underscoring tensions between economic growth, environmental impact, and energy policy choices.