Report: Gas plants for US Data Centers to be the major source of emissions linked to climate change

According to a Wednesday report published by an environmental group, dozens of gas plants planned to power data centers directly in the United States would emit as much greenhouse gas as Australia or France.

The Environmental Integrity Project examined 74 gas-fired U.S. Power Plant projects that were proposed or planned for providing electricity directly to data centres, bypassing the process of connecting to the U.S. Electric Grid. The Environmental Integrity Project estimated that the projects would produce 143 gigawatts and emit 662 millions tons of greenhouse gases per year. According to regulatory filings, interviews with public officials, residents and researchers, and a review of project applications, "behind-the-meter" or off-grid power projects are gaining approval quickly across the U.S.

These large projects, which seek to connect to the grid, can move forward 'at lightning speed' -- sometimes within weeks or even months -- because they are not subjected the lengthy permitting process, environmental studies, and public hearings that would normally be required. The developers claim that such off-grid power plants for private clients are exempted from many of the rules.

According to the EIP report, the amount of greenhouse gases released by these plants is comparable to the emissions of countries like France and Australia. They also pose a health risk for those living near the project due the release of pollutants such as nitrous dioxide (NOx) or benzene.

Jen Duggan is the executive director of?Environmental Integrity Project. She said, "An industry for the future should not be tied to dirty fuels from the past or the air pollution caused by fossil fuels which causes real harm to the communities."

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION CENTRALIZED Nearly half the 74 plants EIP identified are expected to be?located? in Texas. This will be followed by 'gas-producing states Ohio and Pennsylvania, with respectively 10, 6 and 4 off-grid plant planned.

Officials in the Trump administration have called for a rapid?construction? of data centers, and have taken steps to lower barriers to building them and powering them as a national and economic imperative.

Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), told reporters on Tuesday that "I believe that many Americans would agree that it is important to win the race against China in order to become the AI capital of?the world."

A recent /Ipsos survey showed that only 1 in 3 Americans approved of the rapid pace of data centre construction. This issue is on the minds and campaigns of voters ahead of the midterm elections of November 3.

(source: Reuters)