AI Demand Drives Surge in US Fossil Fuel Pipelines
The Environmental Integrity Project reports a massive increase in fossil fuel pipelines driven by AI data centers and deregulation under the Trump administration.
A review of federal records by the Environmental Integrity Project reveals a surge in fossil fuel pipeline projects fueled by natural gas exports and the energy requirements of artificial intelligence data centers. Nearly 200 proposed or active projects would span 17,000 miles across 42 states, a development that could increase daily natural gas transport by 40 percent.
The report alleges that the Trump administration is accelerating this expansion by gutting environmental protections and reducing the enforcement of safety regulations. This includes a pledge to refrain from taking certain enforcement actions through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The administration has also utilized the Defense Production Act to override state objections, as seen in the restart of the Santa Ynez oil pipeline in California and efforts to advance the Constitution pipeline in New York.
Critics warn that expedited environmental reviews and reduced pressure testing increase the risk of deadly accidents and the destruction of federally protected wetlands. Alexandra Shaykevich of the Environmental Integrity Project noted that the current boom coincides with deregulation, creating risks for communities across the United States. James Hiatt of For a Better Bayou added that local residents bear the burdens of these risks while profits are sent elsewhere.
