Jul 24, 2026 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
Several environmental groups have threatened to sue Vantage Data Centers and VoltaGrid over two planned natural gas-powered off-grid data centres near San Antonio, Texas. The Environmental Integrity Project, the Sierra Club, and Public Citizen allege the companies failed to obtain the required environmental permits. In a notice of intent to sue, the groups said the projects' planned 423MW of gas-fired generation and 454MW of diesel backup power would pose a "serious public health threat."
The letter alleges the companies classified the generation assets as “minor” pollution sources and obtained minor-source permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). It claims they did so by treating each data centre and co-located power plant as separate sources, keeping them below major-source thresholds and avoiding public notice or participation.
The letter states that if the alleged violations are not resolved within 60 days, or regulators fail to act, the groups will file suit in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas to enforce Clean Air Act compliance. Vantage and VoltaGrid partnered last February to deploy 1GW of off-grid natural gas generation across Vantage’s North American portfolio. Vantage announced its TX12 project last September, where on-site generators are planned.
