The rise of AI in the U.S. is driving a significant expansion of gas-powered energy, with environmental consequences, and the growing demand for power from AI data centers and tech companies is driving this growth. Global Energy Monitor reports that record gas-fired power expansion led by the US could increase by nearly 50% worldwide, tripling its planned gas capacity by 2025, which is primarily to provide consistent power to the large data centers required for AI.

AI’s Need for Power and Fossil Fuels

As the world’s largest carbon-emissions source, in 2024 China installed 22.4 GW of gas-fired capacity, the highest amount it has ever added in a single year. Opponents of this practice argue that, in their energy expansion plans, countries are likely to lock themselves into gas plants to meet demand from increasing AI data centre power consumption.

This expansion could add 12.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. projects alone, which is double the current annual emissions from the U.S. If all planned gas plants are built globally, CO₂ emissions could exceed 53.2 billion tons, worsening climate risks such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods.

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Economic and Local Implications

Many countries are increasing gas capacity, but the United States is becoming the leading player in this new gas boom. GEM’s tracker reveals that the US accounts for nearly one-quarter of the total global gas capacity under development, far ahead of China, Vietnam, Iraq, and Brazil. The rise is mainly in Texas, which had as much as 57.9 GW of new gas power last year, with Louisiana and Pennsylvania coming next. It is projected that by 2026, US gas additions will exceed 100 GW annually, surpassing the record set in 2002.

Steve Clemmer of the Union of Concerned Scientists believes that electricity consumption in the United States may increase by 60% in 2050, primarily due to new data centres. He states that the rushed expansion, which calls for little transparency or regulation, might result in the public bearing the burden of substantial cost increases through higher power bills and overstretched infrastructure.

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Local Backlash and Fossil Fuel Dependence

While there is increasing opposition to the data centre boom, it shows no signs of slowing down. Major tech companies are still announcing large, energy-intensive projects; for example, Meta has announced a $1.5B Gas-Powered Data centre in El Paso, Texas. These developments continue to demonstrate the data centre sector’s continued dependence on fossil fuels, despite increasing climate and cost pressures.

National and local governments are beginning to implement policy measures, including increased support for clean energy and stricter emission standards for new power generation. It is not easy to develop technologies, especially AI, while also keeping the environment safe. The record gas-fired power expansion led by the US, together with the rise of AI, underscores the need to make energy choices that support environmental sustainability.

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