Greenhouse gases from data center boom could outpace entire nations
11 US data center campuses could outpace Morocco's annual emissions with 129M tons of CO2
WIRED's investigation into air permit documents reveals that natural gas projects linked to just 11 US data center campuses have the potential to emit more than 129 million tons of greenhouse gases per year—surpassing the entire annual emissions of Morocco. These projects, developed to power AI operations for companies like OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI, represent a growing trend called behind-the-meter power, where data centers generate their own electricity to avoid grid connection delays and public resistance to higher energy bills. Cleanview founder Michael Thomas calls this 'a crazy acceleration of emissions,' warning it could reverse progress in retiring coal and gas plants.
Among the most notable examples, xAI's Colossus 1 campus in Memphis and Colossus 2 in Southaven, Mississippi, could each emit over 6.4 million tons of CO2 equivalents annually—combined equivalent to 30 average natural gas plants or powering 1.5 million homes. The NAACP recently filed suit against xAI for allegedly operating turbines illegally. Meanwhile, Microsoft is reportedly purchasing power from a Chevron-backed Texas project that could emit 11.5 million tons yearly, exceeding Jamaica's national emissions. While actual emissions may be lower than permit estimates (based on full-capacity scenarios), these projects signal a significant climate cost for the AI boom, with many more campuses planned.
- 11 US data center campuses could emit 129M+ tons of CO2 yearly, exceeding Morocco's national emissions
- xAI's two Colossus campuses each could emit 6.4M tons annually, equivalent to 30 natural gas plants
- Microsoft's Chevron-backed Texas project could emit 11.5M tons yearly, surpassing Jamaica's total emissions
Why It Matters
AI's energy demands risk reversing climate progress, with data center emissions rivaling entire countries