Natural gas projects powering just 11 US data center campuses could emit more than 129 million tons of greenhouse gases annually—exceeding the entire yearly emissions of Morocco. Air permit documents reviewed by WIRED reveal these projects, built to serve OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI, represent a significant climate cost of the AI boom.

The trend of "behind-the-meter power" allows data centers to bypass the electrical grid entirely, generating their own electricity. xAI's Memphis facility alone could produce over 6.4 million tons of CO2 annually, while a Microsoft-backed Chevron project in West Texas might emit 11.5 million tons—surpassing Jamaica's total emissions. Community opposition has emerged, with the NAACP recently filing a lawsuit against xAI.

Stargate Project, the massive AI infrastructure initiative involving OpenAI, plans three natural gas facilities in Texas and New Mexico with potential emissions exceeding 24 million tons annually. Even if actual emissions reach only half the permitted levels, these projects would still generate more greenhouse gases than Norway produced in 2024. Energy researcher Jon Koomey warns that data center power plants operate continuously at full capacity, unlike traditional grid-connected facilities that adjust to demand fluctuations.