Amazon's Texas data center plant could be biggest U.S. climate polluter
On-site gas plant permitted to emit 33M tons of CO2 yearly—more than any U.S. power plant.
Amazon is investing in a dedicated natural gas power plant to support a planned data center in Pecos County, Texas. According to The New York Times, the facility is permitted to emit 33 million tons of carbon dioxide per year—more than any other power plant in the United States. That would make it the single largest source of climate pollution in the country, a striking milestone for a company that co-founded the Climate Pledge and promised to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Amazon's emissions have already risen 16% year-over-year, driven largely by AI infrastructure and data center growth. The company defends the on-site generation strategy, stating it will be powered by new local generation that won't increase electricity costs for Texas families. But the broader trend is clear: major tech firms are increasingly turning to fossil fuel plants to run AI workloads, drawing political opposition as data centers strain power grids and raise energy costs. Amazon's spokesperson acknowledged the shift, saying "the world looks different now" while insisting its climate commitment remains unchanged.
- Permitted to emit 33 million tons of CO2 annually, more than any existing U.S. power plant
- Amazon's carbon emissions rose 16% last year, moving away from its 2040 net-zero pledge
- On-site gas plant in Pecos County, Texas powers a data center without raising electricity costs for locals
Why It Matters
AI's energy demand is pushing Big Tech toward fossil fuels, undermining corporate climate commitments at massive scale.