Data center buildouts have regularly been in the news for their massive power needs, the strain they put on the grid, and the energy prices that can increase for residents in the general vicinity. The buildouts usually require years of planning and approvals for grid connections. Those timeframes are a preposterous notion for companies invested in the AI gold rush, who have started sidestepping the issue entirely by building their own power generation, fueled mostly by natural gas turbines.
A cursory look at the situation suggests it's a win-win for everyone, as it avoids stressing local grids and accelerates buildouts. However, the quick-patch solution hides many pitfalls, including, but not limited to, carbon emissions and local pollution. This "shadow grid," as the Washington Post (WaPo) calls it, reportedly includes at least 47 data center buildouts across the nation, according to a report by energy-tracking company Cleanview.
