Data centers could erase decades of air quality gains

Texas could see a sharp rise in air pollution as data centres expand to meet demand for electricity, potentially reversing decades of improvement. A new report warns that the scale of pollution will depend on how the facilities are powered, with gas generation bringing greater harm than renewable energy.

If all planned projects connected to the Texas grid and used its expected mix of power, soot from the power sector could more than triple within five years, reaching its highest level since 2006. Nitrogen oxide emissions could rise 136 per cent, while carbon dioxide pollution could be 90 per cent higher than in 2025. The projections are uncertain: some proposals may not proceed, and onsite renewables could cut nitrogen oxide emissions by up to ten times, while onsite gas engines could drive pollution higher.