#backupgenerators — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #backupgenerators, aggregated by home.social.
-
#Datacenter ’s request for diesel generators sparks criticism
By Claudia Levens, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect//April 23, 2026
#PortWashington, #Wisconsin — Neighbors of Port Washington’s $15 billion #AIDatacenter and advocacy groups are voicing public health and #environmental concerns about plans for backup #DieselGenerators at the site under review by Wisconsin regulators.
"They’re also asking Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources for a more robust analysis of the entire project, but especially of the diesel generators, after the agency signaled it’s likely to approve air quality permits for them.
"The data center’s developer and operator, Vantage, submitted permitting requests to the DNR for 45 diesel-fired backup generators that would provide a combined 87 megawatts during grid failures, according to applications submitted in August and September of 2025, shortly after officials in the City of #PortWashingtonWI signed a development agreement.
"Construction on the #datacenter is well underway, and it will soon house #OpenAI and #Oracle, which will leverage the site to advance #Artificialntelligence.
"Diesel generators are pickup-truck-sized power sources, often used as emergency energy backstops for when the grid fails, especially at large commercial and industrial facilities that run around the clock. More frequently, that includes #HyperscaleDatacenters . Wisconsin is a hub for diesel generator manufacturing and distribution; it’s the home of several industry players, such as #Generac Power Systems.
"But diesel generators also produce #pollutant byproducts known to affect the environment and cause or exacerbate health problems, especially when several of them are used in full force, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
"Those concerns were at the center of an April 14 virtual public hearing held by the DNR as part of its review of Vantage’s request.
"Dozens spoke at the hearing, including neighbors of the site, environmental advocates and public health experts, and even more submitted written comments. In total, almost 550 people spoke or sent comments to the DNR.
"Almost all urged the DNR to more thoroughly review the plans and reconsider a preliminary determination issued Feb. 26, which states the generators’ emissions would not surpass state and federal air quality standards. Collectively, they criticized the DNR’s review, emphasized health concerns and asked for reasonable safeguards to protect neighbors.
"The DNR is expected to issue a final determination on the roughly $11,000 permit within the next several weeks.
" #Environmental advocates say DNR’s policies for backup generator reviews obfuscate public health risks
"One of diesel generators’ pollutants at the center of concern for neighbors and environmental advocates is #NitrogenOxide. In excess, #NitrogenOxides can cause or exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, according to the EPA. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified #DieselExhaust, which includes nitrogen oxides, as a Group 1 #carcinogen since 2012.
"Nitrogen oxide emissions react with sunlight to form #ozone and the reddish-brown #haze of #smog in the air, as well as with water to contribute to #AcidRain conditions, according to the #EPA .
"National air quality standards set two upper limits for nitrogen oxide concentration: one established in 1971 that averages the pollutant over a year, and another established in 2010 that examines the pollutant over a one-hour period.
"The DNR did analyze potential nitrogen oxide from #Vantage ’s proposed generators averaged over one year. The agency concluded that emissions would fall below one-year limits established by National Ambient Air Quality Standards, according to the DNR’s preliminary determination.
"That analysis derives from proposed limits on the amount of fuel Vantage would use, roughly 324,000 gallons each year, per the DNR’s preliminary determination. However, it’s worth noting federal regulations do not place any limits on diesel generator use during emergencies."
Read more:
https://finance-commerce.com/2026/04/port-washington-ai-data-center-diesel-generators-air-quality/#BackupGenerators #NoDatacenters #AirIsLife #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #AIDatacenters #HyperscaleDatacenters
#EnergyUsage #EnvironmentalDamage
#GasFiredGenerators #DieselFuel #DieselGenerators -
#Datacenter ’s request for diesel generators sparks criticism
By Claudia Levens, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect//April 23, 2026
#PortWashington, #Wisconsin — Neighbors of Port Washington’s $15 billion #AIDatacenter and advocacy groups are voicing public health and #environmental concerns about plans for backup #DieselGenerators at the site under review by Wisconsin regulators.
"They’re also asking Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources for a more robust analysis of the entire project, but especially of the diesel generators, after the agency signaled it’s likely to approve air quality permits for them.
"The data center’s developer and operator, Vantage, submitted permitting requests to the DNR for 45 diesel-fired backup generators that would provide a combined 87 megawatts during grid failures, according to applications submitted in August and September of 2025, shortly after officials in the City of #PortWashingtonWI signed a development agreement.
"Construction on the #datacenter is well underway, and it will soon house #OpenAI and #Oracle, which will leverage the site to advance #Artificialntelligence.
"Diesel generators are pickup-truck-sized power sources, often used as emergency energy backstops for when the grid fails, especially at large commercial and industrial facilities that run around the clock. More frequently, that includes #HyperscaleDatacenters . Wisconsin is a hub for diesel generator manufacturing and distribution; it’s the home of several industry players, such as #Generac Power Systems.
"But diesel generators also produce #pollutant byproducts known to affect the environment and cause or exacerbate health problems, especially when several of them are used in full force, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
"Those concerns were at the center of an April 14 virtual public hearing held by the DNR as part of its review of Vantage’s request.
"Dozens spoke at the hearing, including neighbors of the site, environmental advocates and public health experts, and even more submitted written comments. In total, almost 550 people spoke or sent comments to the DNR.
"Almost all urged the DNR to more thoroughly review the plans and reconsider a preliminary determination issued Feb. 26, which states the generators’ emissions would not surpass state and federal air quality standards. Collectively, they criticized the DNR’s review, emphasized health concerns and asked for reasonable safeguards to protect neighbors.
"The DNR is expected to issue a final determination on the roughly $11,000 permit within the next several weeks.
" #Environmental advocates say DNR’s policies for backup generator reviews obfuscate public health risks
"One of diesel generators’ pollutants at the center of concern for neighbors and environmental advocates is #NitrogenOxide. In excess, #NitrogenOxides can cause or exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, according to the EPA. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified #DieselExhaust, which includes nitrogen oxides, as a Group 1 #carcinogen since 2012.
"Nitrogen oxide emissions react with sunlight to form #ozone and the reddish-brown #haze of #smog in the air, as well as with water to contribute to #AcidRain conditions, according to the #EPA .
"National air quality standards set two upper limits for nitrogen oxide concentration: one established in 1971 that averages the pollutant over a year, and another established in 2010 that examines the pollutant over a one-hour period.
"The DNR did analyze potential nitrogen oxide from #Vantage ’s proposed generators averaged over one year. The agency concluded that emissions would fall below one-year limits established by National Ambient Air Quality Standards, according to the DNR’s preliminary determination.
"That analysis derives from proposed limits on the amount of fuel Vantage would use, roughly 324,000 gallons each year, per the DNR’s preliminary determination. However, it’s worth noting federal regulations do not place any limits on diesel generator use during emergencies."
Read more:
https://finance-commerce.com/2026/04/port-washington-ai-data-center-diesel-generators-air-quality/#BackupGenerators #NoDatacenters #AirIsLife #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #AIDatacenters #HyperscaleDatacenters
#EnergyUsage #EnvironmentalDamage
#GasFiredGenerators #DieselFuel #DieselGenerators -
#Datacenter ’s request for diesel generators sparks criticism
By Claudia Levens, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect//April 23, 2026
#PortWashington, #Wisconsin — Neighbors of Port Washington’s $15 billion #AIDatacenter and advocacy groups are voicing public health and #environmental concerns about plans for backup #DieselGenerators at the site under review by Wisconsin regulators.
"They’re also asking Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources for a more robust analysis of the entire project, but especially of the diesel generators, after the agency signaled it’s likely to approve air quality permits for them.
"The data center’s developer and operator, Vantage, submitted permitting requests to the DNR for 45 diesel-fired backup generators that would provide a combined 87 megawatts during grid failures, according to applications submitted in August and September of 2025, shortly after officials in the City of #PortWashingtonWI signed a development agreement.
"Construction on the #datacenter is well underway, and it will soon house #OpenAI and #Oracle, which will leverage the site to advance #Artificialntelligence.
"Diesel generators are pickup-truck-sized power sources, often used as emergency energy backstops for when the grid fails, especially at large commercial and industrial facilities that run around the clock. More frequently, that includes #HyperscaleDatacenters . Wisconsin is a hub for diesel generator manufacturing and distribution; it’s the home of several industry players, such as #Generac Power Systems.
"But diesel generators also produce #pollutant byproducts known to affect the environment and cause or exacerbate health problems, especially when several of them are used in full force, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
"Those concerns were at the center of an April 14 virtual public hearing held by the DNR as part of its review of Vantage’s request.
"Dozens spoke at the hearing, including neighbors of the site, environmental advocates and public health experts, and even more submitted written comments. In total, almost 550 people spoke or sent comments to the DNR.
"Almost all urged the DNR to more thoroughly review the plans and reconsider a preliminary determination issued Feb. 26, which states the generators’ emissions would not surpass state and federal air quality standards. Collectively, they criticized the DNR’s review, emphasized health concerns and asked for reasonable safeguards to protect neighbors.
"The DNR is expected to issue a final determination on the roughly $11,000 permit within the next several weeks.
" #Environmental advocates say DNR’s policies for backup generator reviews obfuscate public health risks
"One of diesel generators’ pollutants at the center of concern for neighbors and environmental advocates is #NitrogenOxide. In excess, #NitrogenOxides can cause or exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, according to the EPA. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified #DieselExhaust, which includes nitrogen oxides, as a Group 1 #carcinogen since 2012.
"Nitrogen oxide emissions react with sunlight to form #ozone and the reddish-brown #haze of #smog in the air, as well as with water to contribute to #AcidRain conditions, according to the #EPA .
"National air quality standards set two upper limits for nitrogen oxide concentration: one established in 1971 that averages the pollutant over a year, and another established in 2010 that examines the pollutant over a one-hour period.
"The DNR did analyze potential nitrogen oxide from #Vantage ’s proposed generators averaged over one year. The agency concluded that emissions would fall below one-year limits established by National Ambient Air Quality Standards, according to the DNR’s preliminary determination.
"That analysis derives from proposed limits on the amount of fuel Vantage would use, roughly 324,000 gallons each year, per the DNR’s preliminary determination. However, it’s worth noting federal regulations do not place any limits on diesel generator use during emergencies."
Read more:
https://finance-commerce.com/2026/04/port-washington-ai-data-center-diesel-generators-air-quality/#BackupGenerators #NoDatacenters #AirIsLife #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #AIDatacenters #HyperscaleDatacenters
#EnergyUsage #EnvironmentalDamage
#GasFiredGenerators #DieselFuel #DieselGenerators -
#Datacenter ’s request for diesel generators sparks criticism
By Claudia Levens, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect//April 23, 2026
#PortWashington, #Wisconsin — Neighbors of Port Washington’s $15 billion #AIDatacenter and advocacy groups are voicing public health and #environmental concerns about plans for backup #DieselGenerators at the site under review by Wisconsin regulators.
"They’re also asking Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources for a more robust analysis of the entire project, but especially of the diesel generators, after the agency signaled it’s likely to approve air quality permits for them.
"The data center’s developer and operator, Vantage, submitted permitting requests to the DNR for 45 diesel-fired backup generators that would provide a combined 87 megawatts during grid failures, according to applications submitted in August and September of 2025, shortly after officials in the City of #PortWashingtonWI signed a development agreement.
"Construction on the #datacenter is well underway, and it will soon house #OpenAI and #Oracle, which will leverage the site to advance #Artificialntelligence.
"Diesel generators are pickup-truck-sized power sources, often used as emergency energy backstops for when the grid fails, especially at large commercial and industrial facilities that run around the clock. More frequently, that includes #HyperscaleDatacenters . Wisconsin is a hub for diesel generator manufacturing and distribution; it’s the home of several industry players, such as #Generac Power Systems.
"But diesel generators also produce #pollutant byproducts known to affect the environment and cause or exacerbate health problems, especially when several of them are used in full force, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
"Those concerns were at the center of an April 14 virtual public hearing held by the DNR as part of its review of Vantage’s request.
"Dozens spoke at the hearing, including neighbors of the site, environmental advocates and public health experts, and even more submitted written comments. In total, almost 550 people spoke or sent comments to the DNR.
"Almost all urged the DNR to more thoroughly review the plans and reconsider a preliminary determination issued Feb. 26, which states the generators’ emissions would not surpass state and federal air quality standards. Collectively, they criticized the DNR’s review, emphasized health concerns and asked for reasonable safeguards to protect neighbors.
"The DNR is expected to issue a final determination on the roughly $11,000 permit within the next several weeks.
" #Environmental advocates say DNR’s policies for backup generator reviews obfuscate public health risks
"One of diesel generators’ pollutants at the center of concern for neighbors and environmental advocates is #NitrogenOxide. In excess, #NitrogenOxides can cause or exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, according to the EPA. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified #DieselExhaust, which includes nitrogen oxides, as a Group 1 #carcinogen since 2012.
"Nitrogen oxide emissions react with sunlight to form #ozone and the reddish-brown #haze of #smog in the air, as well as with water to contribute to #AcidRain conditions, according to the #EPA .
"National air quality standards set two upper limits for nitrogen oxide concentration: one established in 1971 that averages the pollutant over a year, and another established in 2010 that examines the pollutant over a one-hour period.
"The DNR did analyze potential nitrogen oxide from #Vantage ’s proposed generators averaged over one year. The agency concluded that emissions would fall below one-year limits established by National Ambient Air Quality Standards, according to the DNR’s preliminary determination.
"That analysis derives from proposed limits on the amount of fuel Vantage would use, roughly 324,000 gallons each year, per the DNR’s preliminary determination. However, it’s worth noting federal regulations do not place any limits on diesel generator use during emergencies."
Read more:
https://finance-commerce.com/2026/04/port-washington-ai-data-center-diesel-generators-air-quality/#BackupGenerators #NoDatacenters #AirIsLife #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #AIDatacenters #HyperscaleDatacenters
#EnergyUsage #EnvironmentalDamage
#GasFiredGenerators #DieselFuel #DieselGenerators -
Mapped: #Virginia #datacenters ’ thousands of #BackupGenerators
#LoudounCounty houses nearly half of Virginia's #datacenter backup generators, per nearly 200 air permits, fueling resident noise complaints and calls for stricter oversight.
by Kaela Roeder September 16, 2026
"Thousands of backup generators power Northern Virginia’s massive data center industry, and a single county overwhelmingly bears the brunt.
"Loudoun County, considered the data center capital of the world, houses nearly half of the state’s more than 13,500 backup generators, according to 195 air permit applications analyzed by Technical.ly.
"Generators, often powered by highly polluting diesel, serve as emergency backup when enough power isn’t available from the grid due to mechanical outages or natural disasters. They ensure the servers stay online, avoiding disruption to things like financial transactions and video streaming services.
"Local residents across the country and in Northern Virginia have increasingly called for reining in rapid data center development, voicing frustration over generator noise in public hearings and online. Loudoun alone contains more than 250 standalone data center buildings and multi-facility campuses, according to industry tracker Data Center Map.
[...]
"An #EPA proposal circulating this summer would eliminate federal requirements forcing state agencies to notify the public and invite public comments before issuing the minor new source review permits most filed by data centers in Virginia.
While state regulators could still choose to hold public hearings, seeking community input would no longer be required by federal law."
Read more:
https://technical.ly/entrepreneurship/mapped-virginia-data-centers-thousands-of-backup-generators/#NoDatacenters #AirIsLife #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #AIDatacenters #HyperscaleDatacenters
#EnergyUsage #EnvironmentalDamage
#GasFiredGenerators #DieselFuel #DieselGenerators -
Mapped: #Virginia #datacenters ’ thousands of #BackupGenerators
#LoudounCounty houses nearly half of Virginia's #datacenter backup generators, per nearly 200 air permits, fueling resident noise complaints and calls for stricter oversight.
by Kaela Roeder September 16, 2026
"Thousands of backup generators power Northern Virginia’s massive data center industry, and a single county overwhelmingly bears the brunt.
"Loudoun County, considered the data center capital of the world, houses nearly half of the state’s more than 13,500 backup generators, according to 195 air permit applications analyzed by Technical.ly.
"Generators, often powered by highly polluting diesel, serve as emergency backup when enough power isn’t available from the grid due to mechanical outages or natural disasters. They ensure the servers stay online, avoiding disruption to things like financial transactions and video streaming services.
"Local residents across the country and in Northern Virginia have increasingly called for reining in rapid data center development, voicing frustration over generator noise in public hearings and online. Loudoun alone contains more than 250 standalone data center buildings and multi-facility campuses, according to industry tracker Data Center Map.
[...]
"An #EPA proposal circulating this summer would eliminate federal requirements forcing state agencies to notify the public and invite public comments before issuing the minor new source review permits most filed by data centers in Virginia.
While state regulators could still choose to hold public hearings, seeking community input would no longer be required by federal law."
Read more:
https://technical.ly/entrepreneurship/mapped-virginia-data-centers-thousands-of-backup-generators/#NoDatacenters #AirIsLife #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #AIDatacenters #HyperscaleDatacenters
#EnergyUsage #EnvironmentalDamage
#GasFiredGenerators #DieselFuel #DieselGenerators -
Mapped: #Virginia #datacenters ’ thousands of #BackupGenerators
#LoudounCounty houses nearly half of Virginia's #datacenter backup generators, per nearly 200 air permits, fueling resident noise complaints and calls for stricter oversight.
by Kaela Roeder September 16, 2026
"Thousands of backup generators power Northern Virginia’s massive data center industry, and a single county overwhelmingly bears the brunt.
"Loudoun County, considered the data center capital of the world, houses nearly half of the state’s more than 13,500 backup generators, according to 195 air permit applications analyzed by Technical.ly.
"Generators, often powered by highly polluting diesel, serve as emergency backup when enough power isn’t available from the grid due to mechanical outages or natural disasters. They ensure the servers stay online, avoiding disruption to things like financial transactions and video streaming services.
"Local residents across the country and in Northern Virginia have increasingly called for reining in rapid data center development, voicing frustration over generator noise in public hearings and online. Loudoun alone contains more than 250 standalone data center buildings and multi-facility campuses, according to industry tracker Data Center Map.
[...]
"An #EPA proposal circulating this summer would eliminate federal requirements forcing state agencies to notify the public and invite public comments before issuing the minor new source review permits most filed by data centers in Virginia.
While state regulators could still choose to hold public hearings, seeking community input would no longer be required by federal law."
Read more:
https://technical.ly/entrepreneurship/mapped-virginia-data-centers-thousands-of-backup-generators/#NoDatacenters #AirIsLife #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #AIDatacenters #HyperscaleDatacenters
#EnergyUsage #EnvironmentalDamage
#GasFiredGenerators #DieselFuel #DieselGenerators -
Mapped: #Virginia #datacenters ’ thousands of #BackupGenerators
#LoudounCounty houses nearly half of Virginia's #datacenter backup generators, per nearly 200 air permits, fueling resident noise complaints and calls for stricter oversight.
by Kaela Roeder September 16, 2026
"Thousands of backup generators power Northern Virginia’s massive data center industry, and a single county overwhelmingly bears the brunt.
"Loudoun County, considered the data center capital of the world, houses nearly half of the state’s more than 13,500 backup generators, according to 195 air permit applications analyzed by Technical.ly.
"Generators, often powered by highly polluting diesel, serve as emergency backup when enough power isn’t available from the grid due to mechanical outages or natural disasters. They ensure the servers stay online, avoiding disruption to things like financial transactions and video streaming services.
"Local residents across the country and in Northern Virginia have increasingly called for reining in rapid data center development, voicing frustration over generator noise in public hearings and online. Loudoun alone contains more than 250 standalone data center buildings and multi-facility campuses, according to industry tracker Data Center Map.
[...]
"An #EPA proposal circulating this summer would eliminate federal requirements forcing state agencies to notify the public and invite public comments before issuing the minor new source review permits most filed by data centers in Virginia.
While state regulators could still choose to hold public hearings, seeking community input would no longer be required by federal law."
Read more:
https://technical.ly/entrepreneurship/mapped-virginia-data-centers-thousands-of-backup-generators/#NoDatacenters #AirIsLife #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #AIDatacenters #HyperscaleDatacenters
#EnergyUsage #EnvironmentalDamage
#GasFiredGenerators #DieselFuel #DieselGenerators -
OpEd - #DieselFuel Being Removed From Market
by raymichael
Thursday, October 1, 2026"There is another aspect about the impact of #datacenters which isn’t being discussed much. We have heard about the electric and water issues. Now it has come to my attention that data centers require a huge amount of #diesel to be stored on site for their backup diesel generators. There are over 1400 data center sites being built or planned.
"The backup generators are needed in case of an electric interruption from the grid. Just one facility #QTS in #Utah is going to store 2.6 million gallons of diesel in onsite tanks. Another site in #Delaware is going to take 2.5 million gallons. This is a larger site and smaller sites will take less diesel. However with over 1400 sites the storage of diesel could very well reach over 1 billion gallons of diesel. That is a lot of diesel that is taken from the supply chain.
"So what are the implications for the diesel supply. As supply shrinks will the price go up? Will there be shortages? And what happens in #hurricane areas where the grid goes down for quite some time. Some of these facilities will consume over 800,000 gallons of diesel a day. At that rate does that area even have that much extra diesel on hand to resupply. Who gets priority? #Citizens and trucking companies? Or data centers?
"This just adds another element to the data center discussion. Politicians who dont want the data centers favor a more balanced supply of diesel. Politicians who want #datacenters want diesel fuel removed from the market supply. If campaigns in areas where diesel is a concern highlite this point it could alter the campaign narrative around data centers and diesel."
Source:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/10/1/800106214/community/diesel-fuel-being-rem/ -
OpEd - #DieselFuel Being Removed From Market
by raymichael
Thursday, October 1, 2026"There is another aspect about the impact of #datacenters which isn’t being discussed much. We have heard about the electric and water issues. Now it has come to my attention that data centers require a huge amount of #diesel to be stored on site for their backup diesel generators. There are over 1400 data center sites being built or planned.
"The backup generators are needed in case of an electric interruption from the grid. Just one facility #QTS in #Utah is going to store 2.6 million gallons of diesel in onsite tanks. Another site in #Delaware is going to take 2.5 million gallons. This is a larger site and smaller sites will take less diesel. However with over 1400 sites the storage of diesel could very well reach over 1 billion gallons of diesel. That is a lot of diesel that is taken from the supply chain.
"So what are the implications for the diesel supply. As supply shrinks will the price go up? Will there be shortages? And what happens in #hurricane areas where the grid goes down for quite some time. Some of these facilities will consume over 800,000 gallons of diesel a day. At that rate does that area even have that much extra diesel on hand to resupply. Who gets priority? #Citizens and trucking companies? Or data centers?
"This just adds another element to the data center discussion. Politicians who dont want the data centers favor a more balanced supply of diesel. Politicians who want #datacenters want diesel fuel removed from the market supply. If campaigns in areas where diesel is a concern highlite this point it could alter the campaign narrative around data centers and diesel."
Source:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/10/1/800106214/community/diesel-fuel-being-rem/ -
OpEd - #DieselFuel Being Removed From Market
by raymichael
Thursday, October 1, 2026"There is another aspect about the impact of #datacenters which isn’t being discussed much. We have heard about the electric and water issues. Now it has come to my attention that data centers require a huge amount of #diesel to be stored on site for their backup diesel generators. There are over 1400 data center sites being built or planned.
"The backup generators are needed in case of an electric interruption from the grid. Just one facility #QTS in #Utah is going to store 2.6 million gallons of diesel in onsite tanks. Another site in #Delaware is going to take 2.5 million gallons. This is a larger site and smaller sites will take less diesel. However with over 1400 sites the storage of diesel could very well reach over 1 billion gallons of diesel. That is a lot of diesel that is taken from the supply chain.
"So what are the implications for the diesel supply. As supply shrinks will the price go up? Will there be shortages? And what happens in #hurricane areas where the grid goes down for quite some time. Some of these facilities will consume over 800,000 gallons of diesel a day. At that rate does that area even have that much extra diesel on hand to resupply. Who gets priority? #Citizens and trucking companies? Or data centers?
"This just adds another element to the data center discussion. Politicians who dont want the data centers favor a more balanced supply of diesel. Politicians who want #datacenters want diesel fuel removed from the market supply. If campaigns in areas where diesel is a concern highlite this point it could alter the campaign narrative around data centers and diesel."
Source:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/10/1/800106214/community/diesel-fuel-being-rem/ -
OpEd - #DieselFuel Being Removed From Market
by raymichael
Thursday, October 1, 2026"There is another aspect about the impact of #datacenters which isn’t being discussed much. We have heard about the electric and water issues. Now it has come to my attention that data centers require a huge amount of #diesel to be stored on site for their backup diesel generators. There are over 1400 data center sites being built or planned.
"The backup generators are needed in case of an electric interruption from the grid. Just one facility #QTS in #Utah is going to store 2.6 million gallons of diesel in onsite tanks. Another site in #Delaware is going to take 2.5 million gallons. This is a larger site and smaller sites will take less diesel. However with over 1400 sites the storage of diesel could very well reach over 1 billion gallons of diesel. That is a lot of diesel that is taken from the supply chain.
"So what are the implications for the diesel supply. As supply shrinks will the price go up? Will there be shortages? And what happens in #hurricane areas where the grid goes down for quite some time. Some of these facilities will consume over 800,000 gallons of diesel a day. At that rate does that area even have that much extra diesel on hand to resupply. Who gets priority? #Citizens and trucking companies? Or data centers?
"This just adds another element to the data center discussion. Politicians who dont want the data centers favor a more balanced supply of diesel. Politicians who want #datacenters want diesel fuel removed from the market supply. If campaigns in areas where diesel is a concern highlite this point it could alter the campaign narrative around data centers and diesel."
Source:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/10/1/800106214/community/diesel-fuel-being-rem/