Omaira Garcia, an Air Force veteran and mother of two, never knew that OpenAI’s plans to build its flagship ‘Stargate’ data center would change her life in Abilene, Texas. The construction of the data center and its accompanying power plant began in the summer of 2024, with Garcia only finding out about it after the construction had started.

Impact on Local Communities

The data center’s power plant, which is roughly 500 yards from Garcia’s house, has raised concerns about the potential environmental impact. OpenAI did not respond to multiple requests for comment, while a spokesperson for Stargate’s developer, Crusoe, stated that the data center has contributed to the economic development of Abilene and has funded new fire trucks, school expansions, and road improvements across the city.

Nationwide, nearly 60 data centers are planning to build their own gas plants to avoid connecting to the grid, according to research by energy analytics firm Cleanview. In Texas, at least 15 gas plants tied to data centers are planned, with nine of them combined potentially emitting more than 130 million tons of greenhouse gases every year.

Environmental Concerns

The impact of these data centers on the climate could be enormous, with the potential to emit more annual greenhouse gases than many countries. The use of gas-powered turbines and diesel generators has also raised concerns about air pollution, with Stargate’s developers having secured minor permits that avoid public scrutiny and extensive environmental reviews.

Experts have criticized the use of these minor permits, stating that they are not suitable for large-scale projects like data centers. The permits, known as ‘permits by rule’ and ‘standard permits,’ are typically used for small polluters and do not require environmental studies or public notice.

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.