Data center developers in Texas are exploiting state law to secure on-site power sources like diesel generators without the typical level of scrutiny. They’re skirting by on getting permission to operate them with minor permits known as “permits by rule” and “standard permits,” which are generally used by gas stations and dry cleaners, not OpenAI’s Stargate project. Under just the minor permits, Stargate got 10 turbines and 62 backup diesel generators that are allowed to emit 1.6 million tons of greenhouse gases and 1,000 tons of harmful air pollutants annually. It was only after that did Stargate bother trying for a major air permit, which would add 41 more turbines and 18 more generators. It’s not just Stargate: Since 2024, at least 38 data centers have pulled off the permitting maneuver.
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