Amazon is developing an on-site power plant in Pecos County, Texas, to support a new data center, raising concerns over potential carbon emissions.
Key facts
- •The planned power plant is located in Pecos County, Texas.
- •Permits allow the plant to emit 33 million tons of carbon dioxide per year.
- •Amazon reported a 16% increase in carbon emissions during the previous year.
- •The company has a stated goal to eliminate carbon emissions by 2040.
- •Amazon stated the on-site power generation is intended to keep electricity costs stable for Texas residents.
Amazon is investing in an on-site power plant for a planned data center in Pecos County, Texas. According to reports from The New York Times, the facility could become the largest source of climate pollution in the United States.
By the numbers
Emissions and Energy Plans
The proposed power plant is permitted to release 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, a figure that would exceed the emissions of any other power plant currently operating in the U.S. The facility is designed to burn natural gas to provide electricity for the data center. An Amazon spokesperson stated that the project will be powered by new on-site generation intended to avoid raising electricity costs for Texas families. The company maintains that its commitment to its climate pledge remains unchanged, despite acknowledging that the global landscape has shifted since the pledge was co-founded.
Corporate Carbon Impact
Amazon reported a 16% increase in its carbon emissions last year, a trend attributed in part to the impact of artificial intelligence. The company has previously set a goal to eliminate its carbon emissions by 2040. The development of large natural gas plants to support energy-intensive data centers has drawn political scrutiny regarding both environmental impact and electricity pricing.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by TechCrunch.
