Texas is on the brink of undoing twenty years of air‑quality improvement, according to a report released Tuesday by the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC). The study models how the state’s rapidly expanding data‑center industry could affect emissions through 2031, and finds that the outcome hinges on how these facilities are powered.
Potential emissions surge
Between 2002 and 2024, Texas sharply cut major pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter, even as its population swelled and the economy roughly doubled. The new HARC analysis warns that the projected build‑out of at least 288 data‑center projects could reverse that progress.
Under a “net‑zero” scenario—where data centers connect to the grid and install on‑site wind and solar—statewide nitrogen‑oxide emissions could still rise about 35 % by 2031. If developers opt for traditional on‑site natural‑gas generation, the increase could approach 400 %.
Health and community impact
Higher nitrogen‑oxide levels and volatile organic compounds can damage the respiratory system, leading to chronic lung disease, asthma attacks and other serious health issues. Particulate‑matter spikes would reach levels not seen since 2006, raising concerns for families in major metros such as Houston, Dallas‑Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin, which already struggle to meet federal air‑pollution standards.
Governor’s response
Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily halted new data‑center connections to the Texas power grid while an audit reviews each facility’s power demand, water use, cooling systems, public‑financial assistance and community impact. The move reflects the administration’s commitment to protecting the state’s air quality and public health.
Industry perspective
“What we are showcasing here is that there is a significant increase in different pollutant emissions that needs to be addressed because otherwise this could have strong implications for the population and environment,” said Carlos Gamarra, vice president for energy, air and IT at HARC. He added that many developers are turning to on‑site power because grid connections can take three to five years, and on‑site options are not always the cleanest.
Gamarra emphasized that on‑site natural‑gas engines emit roughly four times more nitrogen oxides than grid power for the same data center. He urged policymakers to treat data centers as industrial facilities and hold them to the same emissions standards that helped Texas achieve past gains.
Path forward
The report argues it is not too late to steer the industry toward cleaner choices. By prioritizing renewable sources such as wind and solar, and by implementing clear regulations, Texas can keep its air clean while still supporting the economic benefits of the data‑center sector.
Stakeholders—including lawmakers, industry leaders and community groups—are encouraged to disclose electricity sources and pollution levels so residents can assess impacts before new projects move forward.
What’s at stake
If the state follows the natural‑gas‑heavy scenario, nitrogen‑oxide levels could climb 136 % by 2031, returning to 2004 levels, while particulate matter could exceed 2002 levels by 32 %. Such a reversal would undermine the health of Texas families and the environmental stewardship that many faith‑based and community organizations champion.
As the data‑center boom continues, the HARC study provides a clear warning: clean‑energy decisions today will determine whether Texas preserves its hard‑won air‑quality legacy for future generations.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
