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US pipeline expansion accelerates amid datacentre demand and weaker safeguards
A review of federal records by the Environmental Integrity Project identifies nearly 200 proposed or ongoing US pipeline projects, driven in part by demand from datacentres and gas exports. The review says the expansion could increase risks to communities as the Trump administration rolls back environmental protections and reduces enforcement.
The projects would cover about 17,000 miles across 42 states and could carry roughly 40% more natural gas each day than the current system. At least 98 gas-fired power plants have been proposed to serve datacentres; more than a quarter of the pipeline projects have sought expedited environmental review. The report also says federal actions have advanced controversial projects despite state objections, while the article notes the US already sees about 1.7 pipeline accidents, spills, fires or explosions daily.
In short
- Nearly 200 US pipeline projects are proposed or under way.
- They could add 40% to daily gas transport capacity.
- The report links growth to datacentres and weaker oversight.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Guardian as “US datacenter demand spurs increased fossil fuel pipeline projects as rules are discarded”.