Amazon is investing in an on-site power plant as part of a planned data center in Pecos County, Texas, which could become the largest source of climate pollution in the United States, according to The New York Times.

The publication reported that the plant would burn natural gas and is permitted to release 33 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, which is more than any other power plant in the U.S.

• Emissions Trend: Artificial intelligence has impacted Amazon's carbon emissions, which increased by 16% last year despite the company's pledge to eliminate carbon emissions by 2040.
• Local Impact: In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed the data center will "be powered by new on-site generation that won’t raise electricity costs for Texas families."
• Industry Growth: Amazon and other tech firms are backing the development of large natural gas plants to supply power-hungry data centers, which face growing political opposition over electricity costs and other issues.

Addressing the company's environmental targets, the spokesperson stated, "The world looks different now than when we co-founded the climate pledge," while adding, "Our commitment hasn’t changed."