Amazon is moving forward with plans for a massive data center in Pecos County, Texas, that threatens to become the largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. The project relies on a gas-burning power plant equipped with 35 turbines. Documents indicate this facility could release 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually if it becomes operational as currently designed.
This level of output places the single project in the same category as the annual emissions produced by entire nations like Switzerland, Ireland, and Bulgaria. The data center is intended to provide up to 7.65 gigawatts of energy to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence computing capacity. The scale of this project highlights the tension between the push for expanded AI capabilities and corporate sustainability targets.
This decision marks a shift from the company's previous public commitments to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Amazon spokesperson Margaret Callahan defended the path by stating that the global environment has changed since the company helped create the climate pledge. She noted that the company intends to maintain growth while pursuing sustainability initiatives.
Recent data shows that Amazon's electricity usage increased by 34 percent throughout 2025. This project in Texas adds to a trend of rising emissions associated with the company’s infrastructure investments. Critics point to these figures as evidence that the company is struggling to reconcile its climate goals with the energy-intensive requirements of its data center expansion strategy.