Datacenter demand drives US fossil fuel pipeline boom
A new review shows datacenter demand is spurring a boom in fossil fuel pipeline projects across the United States as federal rules are discarded.
Federal records reveal project scale
Federal records identified almost 200 proposed or active pipeline projects that would collectively span 17,000 miles. These lines aim to transport about 40 percent more natural gas daily than the current system carries. The Environmental Integrity Project compiled this report while noting the Trump administration is gutting protective environmental rules.
Administration deregulates safety measures
The administration pledged not to enforce regulations around pipelines and issued a memo in January to refrain from enforcement actions. By 2025, it cut average enforcement actions initiated in half to record only 117 violations. Officials also allow companies to increase pipeline pressure in densely populated areas which raises accident risks.
Projects face legal challenges
Advocates worry about attacks on foundational protections like the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. The administration used the Defense Production Act to push projects over state objections in California and New York. Over 25 percent of projects requested expedited reviews using legally dubious mechanisms such as invoking an energy emergency.
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