An Amazon data center could have the worst polluting power plant in the country

Amazon is investing in a new Pecos County, Texas, natural gas power plant designed primarily to supply electricity to its planned West Texas data center. The 35-turbine facility would initially operate outside the state grid and could generate 7.65 gigawatts, potentially making it one of the country’s largest single greenhouse gas sources.

The project highlights how surging AI and cloud infrastructure demand is pushing tech companies toward dedicated power generation, even when it conflicts with climate commitments. If replicated, such behind-the-meter fossil fuel plants could complicate emissions reductions and intensify scrutiny of data center expansion.