Permits for 11 natural gas-powered data centers across the United States project annual greenhouse gas emissions exceeding 129 million tons—more than Morocco released in 2024. Linked to AI companies OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI, these facilities underscore the fossil fuel reliance in the data center boom fueling AI expansion, according to a WIRED review of air permit documents.
WIRED's examination of permit applications shows these 11 U.S. campuses could collectively emit over 129 million tons of GHGs annually, surpassing entire nations like Morocco. Officials reviewing the permits emphasized the enormous environmental footprint. As detailed in prior coverage of the natural gas surge for AI infrastructure, this reflects skyrocketing energy demands outpacing grid and renewable capacity, locking in high emissions for tech giants' computing needs.
