Data center developers in Pennsylvania intend to utilize at least seven new natural gas-fired power plants, potentially releasing greenhouse gases comparable to adding 14 million cars to the road annually, as per a new report.
The report by the Environmental Integrity Project reveals that these plants would emit around 68 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year. This represents a significant rise in greenhouse gas emissions, coinciding with global climate change mitigation efforts, and would lead to a 24% increase in Pennsylvania’s emissions as of 2022.
The proposed plants in Pennsylvania and other U.S. locations are “behind-the-meter,” supplying electricity directly to data centers instead of the grid. The report, “The Power Behind AI,” concentrates on plants capable of producing 100 megawatts or more. Pennsylvania’s planned plants would collectively generate about 14 gigawatts.
As data center projects expand nationwide, the report highlights concerns about the consequent increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to the surge in electricity demand from the industry. Pennsylvania, abundant in natural gas, attracts significant interest from tech companies, though some residents remain wary due to the state’s fossil fuel history.
The 44-page report warns that these gas power plants pose climate and health risks to nearby communities. It notes that investments in AI are driving the construction of data centers and gas power plants across the U.S.
Aaron Tinjum, vice president of energy at the Data Center Coalition, did not confirm the projected emissions figures but mentioned the industry’s “significant investments” in clean energy and advanced technologies.
According to Tinjum, data centers were responsible for half of the contracted wind and solar capacity in 2024, citing S&P Global research.
In Pennsylvania, the largest planned behind-the-meter plant is the Homer City Generating Station. It would emit over 17.5 million tons of CO2 annually if fully converted to natural gas, producing up to 4.7 GW. The former coal-fired plant ceased operations in 2023.
Another plant in Shippingport, Beaver County, could emit 21.1 million tons yearly, although its capacity is lower at 3.6 GW, according to the report.
The seven Pennsylvania plants would increase greenhouse gases significantly, akin to doubling the number of vehicles on the state’s roads, said Griffin Bird, the report’s lead author.
Pennsylvania’s appeal to data center developers is enhanced by its location atop the Marcellus Shale, one of the largest natural gas reserves globally. The state ranks second after Texas for U.S. gas production.
Nationally, about 74 gas-fired power plants, mostly new, are slated to support the data-center industry, releasing 662 million tons of emissions, akin to Australia’s annual emissions or adding 140 million cars on the road. These plants would generate triple the power of California’s usage.
Nearly half of these plants would be in Texas, with 20 more in the Ohio River Valley, spanning Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The estimates might underrepresent the issue, as the survey only covered large behind-the-meter plants, Bird noted. Pennsylvania has 66 data center projects in various stages of development, according to the Data Center Proposal Tracker. Some may include smaller behind-the-meter plants not covered by EIP’s survey.
Alex Bomstein, executive director of the Clean Air Council, asserted that the proposed Homer City plant would be the largest pollution source statewide if completed.
The plant’s operation would necessitate drilling 250 new wells every five years, increasing contamination risks, Bomstein said, referencing public health risks.
Bomstein criticized the industry and Pennsylvania’s Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration for backing data centers despite community opposition. Shapiro has called for developers to provide their own power and inform communities of their plans for permitting assistance.
EIP’s report found that data centers and power plants are often planned in low-income areas with already compromised environmental quality.
Jen Duggan, EIP’s executive director, warned that additional pollutants could exacerbate health disparities, noting nearly 90% of the power plants are in counties with below-average life expectancy.
Duggan advocated for community approval of such projects and recommended wind or solar energy as power sources, instead of natural gas or coal. Bomstein echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the eventual need for solar energy as natural gas supplies dwindle.
Duggan concurred, stating, “It makes no sense for future technology to rely on outdated fossil fuels.”
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org