Key facts
- Dozens of large, off-grid power plants are being rapidly approved across the U.S. to serve the AI industry's data center demand.
- These projects often bypass typical permitting, environmental studies, and public hearings, sometimes in weeks or months.
- Residents report little notice and limited transparency regarding these power plants.
- At least 57 off-grid U.S. power plants are proposed or under construction for individual data centers, with a total capacity of 73,000 megawatts.
- Some states have enacted laws to speed up approvals and shield project details from public records.
- The AI industry's reliance on off-grid natural gas generation is emerging as a significant, under-examined air quality risk.
Dozens of large, off-grid power plants are being rapidly approved across the United States to meet the surging energy demands of the artificial intelligence industry and its data centers. These projects are often moving forward at an accelerated pace, sometimes within weeks or months, bypassing the years of permitting, environmental studies, and public hearings typically required for such infrastructure.
Developers of these plants, which are built to serve a single data center, argue they are exempt from many regulations applicable to traditional power projects. This has left residents in affected areas with limited notice and little opportunity to voice concerns about potential impacts on air quality and the climate. Further reducing transparency, some developers have utilized non-disclosure agreements with local governments or operated through shell companies, while local officials have sometimes redacted public documents or fast-tracked permitting processes.
Michael Cork, a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University, stated that the AI industry's off-the-grid natural gas generation is emerging as one of the largest under-examined air quality risks in the country. The Apollo Generating Station in Ohio, intended to serve Meta's data center, received approval in less than three months, with its draft air permit becoming publicly available only after construction had started.
Research from Cleanview indicates at least 57 off-grid U.S. power plants are proposed or under construction to serve individual data centers, with a combined capacity of 73,000 megawatts. Reuters identified over a dozen projects approved in under a year with minimal public notice. Most of these facilities are fueled by natural gas, which emits pollutants linked to respiratory illness and greenhouse gases.
Supporters argue these projects are crucial for rapid AI development, providing necessary power to tech companies without increasing consumer electricity prices. The Trump Administration, citing competition with China, has pushed for accelerated permitting for AI infrastructure, and agencies like the EPA, along with states such as Ohio, West Virginia, Texas, and Utah, have proposed or adopted policies to expedite approvals. The Data Center Coalition, representing major tech firms, stated its members are committed to being responsible neighbors while securing critical power supplies.
Ohio's legislative changes have significantly reduced approval timelines for certain AI power projects, allowing them to be approved in as little as 45 days without public hearings. State officials are promoting data-center development as an economic opportunity. However, residents express concerns about the cumulative impact of multiple data centers and power plants on regional public health. The Apollo project is being built by Will Power LLC, a subsidiary of Williams Cos., which is developing similar projects across the state.
Secrecy surrounding these projects has drawn backlash. Ohio lawmakers recently passed provisions shielding big projects from public records laws, with officials potentially facing criminal charges for discussing project economics with constituents. Critics argue this undermines democratic principles of transparency and accountability. Microsoft announced it would cease using non-disclosure agreements nationwide following criticism. Elon Musk's xAI has reportedly operated gas turbines without permits in Tennessee and Mississippi, claiming exemption. In West Virginia, legislation was passed exempting certain data center microgrids from local zoning laws, limiting community opposition.