Amazon Data Center in Texas May Feature Largest U.S. Climate Pollution Source
Amazon is investing in an on-site natural gas power plant for a planned data center in Pecos County, Texas, which could emit 33 million tons of CO2 annually.
En resumen
Amazon is investing in an on-site natural gas power plant for a planned data center in Pecos County, Texas, which could become the largest source of climate pollution in the U.S. by emitting 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.
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Por qué importa
Amazon pledged to eliminate its carbon emissions by 2040, but AI demand has increased its carbon footprint.
As part of a planned data center in Pecos County, Texas, Amazon is investing in an on-site power plant that could become the largest source of climate pollution in the United States, according to The New York Times.
The NYT says the plant would burn natural gas and is permitted to release 33 million tons of carbon dioxide per year — more than any other power plant in the U.S.
In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the data center will “be powered by new on-site generation that won’t raise electricity costs for Texas families.” (Data centers face growing political opposition for a number of reasons, including their effect on electricity costs.)
AI has already had a significant impact on Amazon’s carbon emissions, which it reported were up 16% last year — the wrong direction for a company that pledged to eliminate its carbon emissions by 2040. And that could get worse as Amazon and tech companies back the development of huge natural gas plants to support their power-hungry data centers.
The Amazon spokesperson said, “The world looks different now than when we co-founded the climate pledge,” while also claiming, “Our commitment hasn’t changed.”
Preguntas abiertas
- When will the Pecos County power plant become operational?
- How will Amazon offset the increased emissions?
