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New Amazon Data Center Stokes Worry It Would Be the Most Polluting Power Plant in the U.S.
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- Amazon is investing in a large natural-gas-burning power plant to support a new data center in Pecos County, Texas, which could become the largest single source of carbon emissions in the U.S.
- The planned plant is permitted to emit 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, surpassing emissions from any other power plant in the country.
- This move comes as Amazon and other tech companies expand data centers to meet growing demand for AI services, despite concerns about rising emissions.
- Amazon has struggled to meet its 2040 Climate Pledge goal to eliminate net emissions, with emissions increasing in recent years partly due to energy-intensive AI operations.
- An Amazon spokeswoman emphasized that while circumstances have changed since the Climate Pledge was founded, the company remains committed to its climate goals.
