Support Oversight of Gas Plants Powering Al Data Centers

Support Oversight of Gas Plants Powering AI Data Centers   I am writing as your constituent regarding the rapid construction of gas-fired power plants built solely to supply electricity to AI data centers. A July 2026 report by the independent nonprofit watchdog organization, the Environmental Integrity Project, The Power Behind AI, reviewed 74 proposed gas-fired power plants across the country that would supply electricity directly to data centers rather than the public grid. The report estimates these plants would generate 143 gigawatts of electricity and emit approximately 662 million tons of greenhouse gases annually—roughly comparable to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of countries such as Australia or France. The report also estimates they would emit 159,142 tons per year of additional health-damaging air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. Nearly 90% of the proposed sites are located in counties with below-average life expectancy. The prospect of this additional pollution is especially concerning given that 2023 through 2025 were among the warmest years on record globally, according to NOAA and NASA. Because many of these “behind-the-meter” power plants supply electricity directly to data centers rather than the regional transmission grid, they may avoid some of the environmental review, permitting requirements, and public scrutiny that typically accompany utility-scale power plants. I ask that you support legislation to: 1 Require operators of behind-the-meter power plants serving data centers to publicly report greenhouse gas emissions and health-damaging air pollutants to the EPA. 2 Close any permitting gaps so that gas-fired power plants of this scale receive appropriate environmental review and opportunities for public comment regardless of whether they connect to the public grid. Thank you for your attention to this issue.