Google's AI Data Center Pollutes Like a Million Cars

Google's new 'Goodnight' data center in Texas, built with partner Crusoe Energy, will be partially powered by a 933-megawatt natural gas plant emitting over 4.5 million tons of greenhouse gases annually — equivalent to adding nearly one million cars to roads. This exceeds emissions from both average gas and coal plants combined, while Google's total emissions have risen nearly 50 percent since 2019. The AI energy race is forcing tech giants to abandon green pledges and turn to fossil fuels due to grid connection delays and surging power demands. Microsoft and Meta face similar pressures. Google's 2030 carbon-free energy commitment now looks increasingly uncertain, drawing scrutiny from three Democratic senators demanding explanations from major AI companies.