Behind‑the‑Meter AI Gas Plants

Data‑center operators are increasingly building on‑site natural‑gas power plants (behind‑the‑meter) to avoid grid delays and local cost pressure. Permit filings for a small set of campuses show theoretical emissions comparable to entire countries, revealing a new industrial path that can sidestep utility oversight and public debate. — If widespread, this trend could derail regional decarbonization plans, create local air‑quality harms, and force new regulatory responses around permitting and grid access.