Texas data center expansion threatens air quality gains

A report by the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) warns that the rapid expansion of data centers in Texas could reverse decades of progress in air quality. Texas has become a major hub for generative AI infrastructure, with existing and planned capacity reaching 26 GW and at least 288 projects currently in development.

The environmental impact depends heavily on power sources. In a worst-case scenario involving on-site natural gas generation, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions could increase by nearly 400% by 2031. Even under a "net-zero" scenario utilizing grid power combined with on-site wind and solar, NOx emissions are projected to rise by 35%.

Researchers note that developers often opt for on-site natural gas turbines to avoid long wait times for grid connections, which can take three to five years. HARC officials suggest that data centers should be regulated as industrial facilities with strict emission standards and increased transparency regarding energy consumption and pollution levels.