Techub News, citing CryptoBriefing, reported that at least 57 off-grid natural gas projects in the United States are being used to power AI data centers. The projects have a combined installed capacity of 73 gigawatts. According to the report, many of these facilities operate outside the usual grid framework and have largely bypassed public oversight and environmental review, prompting concerns from environmental groups.
One highlighted case is xAI’s Colossus 2 site, which is equipped with 27 gas turbines. The report said the site emits more than 1,700 tons of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants each year. Unlike emergency diesel generators, which are generally used as temporary backup systems, these off-grid natural gas facilities are described as running continuously to supply electricity to AI data centers.
In April this year, the Southern Environmental Law Center and other organizations filed a lawsuit seeking to shut down xAI’s operations in Mississippi. The report also stated that at least 11 similar projects could have annual greenhouse gas emissions exceeding 129 million tons, creating health risks for surrounding communities. As AI data centers require large amounts of electricity, the regulatory and emissions issues around off-grid natural gas power projects have become a policy and environmental dispute.