posted in Technology
New Amazon Data Center Is Set to Have the Most Polluting Power Plant in the U.S.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/08/climate/amazon-data-center-texas-pollution.html?unlocked_article_code=1.31A.fS0X.EriRxZvEz-vV
www.nytimes.comNew Amazon Data Center Is Set to Have the Most Polluting Power Plant in the U.S. (Gift Article)The tech giant is investing in the natural-gas-burning power plant as part of a huge data center in Texas, even as it pledges to honor climate commitments.Wouldn’t it be cheaper in the long run to just put solar panels all over the buildings and parking lots, and maybe some surrounding fields, and an array of batteries to run off of at night? Maybe add some wind mills too, seeing as Texas generates a tremendous amount of power with wind already.
Replying to @Manjushri@piefed.social
Data centers need to run 24/7, so you aren’t able to meet the needs with just solar. Additionally Solar is very seasonal (more power during the summer).
Not saying there aren’t ways to making it work, but one natural gas plant vs a mixture of systems is probably cheaper and easier. Especially since the US is currently built around natural gas power.