New natural gas projects tied to just 11 data center campuses across the United States could generate more greenhouse gases each year than the entire country of Morocco emitted in 2024, according to emissions estimates from air permit documents reviewed by WIRED.
These projects—currently being built to power data centers serving some of the most influential AI companies, including OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI—have the potential to emit over 129 million tons of greenhouse gases annually.
AI Boom Drives Surge in Behind-the-Meter Power Projects
As tech companies scramble to secure massive power agreements to construct hundreds of new data centers nationwide, these natural gas initiatives represent only the beginning of the climate consequences tied to the AI expansion.
The infrastructure under review by WIRED is designed primarily to bypass the traditional power grid, providing electricity exclusively for data centers. This approach, known as behind-the-meter power, is becoming more common as data center developers face prolonged delays in connecting to utility providers and growing public opposition to potential increases in energy costs.
Many of these projects are either in the planning stages or already under construction, with companies submitting air permit applications to state agencies.
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