Data center hype = more gas, more pollution, higher bills

 

Data centers are driving a massive methane gas buildout in the South. This growth is not only driving up energy costs and burdening communities with pollution but also impacting our climate. But a groundbreaking new report commissioned by SELC shows that much of the projected data center energy demand is speculative — if not outright implausible. Here’s what the report revealed: Chip shortage: There aren’t even enough chips in global supply to build all of the proposed energy-hungry facilities utilities are using to justify the significant fossil fuel expansion being pushed. Repeated, redundant requests: For every one data center actually built, there are 5–10 more requests that never materialize. So, what does this mean for our communities? Higher energy bills for everyday Southerners, more dangerous methane gas pollution, more pipelines cutting through our backyards and farms, and increased climate risks. READ THE REPORT AND GET THE FACTS SELC and advocates like you are standing alongside communities across our region who are mobilizing on the ground to fight off these harmful, highly speculative projects. Here are just some of the ways we’re pushing back to protect our environmental future.

Bessemer, Alabama After an incredible outcry from residents and advocates, the city council voted to take another look at rezoning agricultural land to make way for a data center the size of 18 Walmart Supercenters.

Memphis, Tennessee We've stepped in to stand with NAACP and Young, Gifted & Green to hold xAI accountable for harmful pollution coming from the use of methane gas turbines at its South Memphis data center.

Pittsylvania County, Virgina A rural community in Virginia was on the path to becoming home to a 2,200-acre gas-powered data center complex — until the county’s residents decided to take a stand.

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We are the Southern Environmental Law Center—one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and the people that live here.  We can solve the most complex environmental challenges right here in the South. Let’s solve them together.     Support Our Work | Our Impact | Advocacy Center   Copyright © 2025 Southern Environmental Law Center, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 120 Garrett St Suite 400, Charlottesville, VA 22902