Amazon’s AI Power Plant Could Be America’s Biggest Polluter

Amazon will build an AI data center in Texas along with its own on-site power plant. According to The New York Times, the plant holds a permit to emit 33 million tons of carbon per year.

Key points:
• Located in Pecos County, Texas — burns natural gas to power AI servers
• Emits 33 million tons of CO2 per year, which is more than any other power plant in the US
• Amazon claims that generating its own electricity “will not raise electricity prices for Texas households”
• Amazon’s carbon footprint grew by 16% last year, despite the company’s pledge to achieve net-zero carbon by 2040

[Insight: Every query we type into AI requires real electricity somewhere. The cost of AI is not just money.]